Home - Kurt Okraku’s Parliament Appearance: Here are seven major revelations

The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has highlighted several challenges affecting sports administration in the country as the football governing body faces growing public criticism.

Okraku, together with a delegation from the GFA, appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports to discuss issues concerning Ghana football and explore ways to improve the sport.

During the engagement, he made several revelations, including outstanding salaries owed to national team coaches, a faulty national team bus and the absence of a headline sponsor for the Ghana Premier League.

Here are seven key takeaways from Okraku’s appearance before the committee.

1. GFA does not select players for national team coaches

Okraku firmly rejected claims that the GFA selects players for national team coaches. He maintained that player selection is the sole responsibility of the respective coaches, who are expected to choose players based on their technical requirements without interference from the football governing body.

2. Delayed payment of national team coaches

The GFA President admitted that delays in paying national team coaches remain a major challenge.

He indicated that several coaches are owed months of salary arrears, a situation that affects their work and could leave them struggling to meet their financial obligations.

3. Kim Lars Björkegren has not been paid for 13 months

Okraku disclosed that Kim Lars Björkegren, who has served as head coach of the Black Queens and is currently the acting coach of the Black Stars, has not received his salary for 13 months.

He said the Swedish coach had continued to serve the country despite the outstanding payments, highlighting the financial difficulties facing the GFA and the national teams.

4. GFA has scouts in all 10 regions

Okraku revealed that the GFA has trained scouts across all 10 regions who work with the Technical Directorate to identify players for the country’s youth national teams.

He believes the initiative has helped the association identify emerging talents from different parts of the country for national team selection.

5. Black Stars’ bus has broken down

The GFA President disclosed that the bus used by the Black Stars and 19 other national teams has broken down, forcing the association to rent another vehicle.

He explained that the situation has increased the GFA’s operational costs, as funds that could have been used for other purposes are being spent on renting a replacement bus.

6. Funding and sponsorship challenges affect GFA operations

Okraku acknowledged the GFA’s responsibility to provide quality playing surfaces, stadium facilities and competent technical staff for the national teams.

However, he explained that limited funding and a lack of sponsorship have made it difficult for the association to meet these responsibilities effectively.

7. Carlos Queiroz resigned after three consecutive defeats

Okraku explained that former Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz stepped down after suffering three consecutive defeats, marking the first time in his managerial career that he had experienced such a run.

He said that although concerns had been raised about poor facilities and other challenges, the team's disappointing run of results was the main reason behind the coach’s decision to resign.

SB/EB

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