Connect with us

Hot!

FA elections brouhaha

Published

on

• Kurt Okraku

• Kurt Okraku

Campaign for the im­pending elections of the Ghana Football Associa­tion (GFA), has roared off in earnest amid fire-spitting of venomous ‘verbiage’ across board.

The quadrennial elections is tentatively slated for Octo­ber, this year, but no specific date has been determined for that purpose yet – at least, as of the time of putting this piece together.

•
George Afriyie
• George Afriyie

The GFA, which is responsi­ble for setting the parameters – or better still, roadmap for the much-heralded event, is yet to come clear on it – caus­ing lots of agitation and apprehension amongst members of the oppo­site camp.

“I don’t know whether the elections is coming up this year. And I’ve not started to think about elections yet,” Kurt told Su­perSport recently.

Advertisement

“I react to the mood of the people. What I will do is to react exactly to the way the people want.”

Could it be a strategy of paralysis or psychological war­fare? Maybe, yes – maybe, no.

Predictably, this year’s elections may be going down as one of the most acrimonious and fiercely-held engagements to elect the man to steer the future of Ghana football for the next four years.

The incumbent – Kurt Edwin Simon Okraku, is seeking re-election after succeeding Kwesi Nyantakyi in 2019.

Advertisement

The October election of Okraku gave birth to the refrain: Bringing back the love for the game – coming on the heels of the Anas exposé on football cor­ruption in Gha­na.

Truth is, the ‘Bringing back the love’ mantra almost pulled the trick as thousands were vigorously enamoured by it.

This was seen in the mas­sive support Ghanaians offered the Black Stars on their way to Qatar 2022 World Cup qual­ification – though the team failed to progress beyond the opening round in the cam­paign. One could describe it as a bitter-sweet achievement for the Kurt administration.

There were also damning series of first round exits. In the last couple of months, Ghana has failed to qualify for the Under-17 and Under-20 AFCON – though we were defending champions in the latter. We were also bowled out at the group stage during the AFCON 2021 tournament – and even though we swaggered out way to the Championship of African Nations (CHAN), we got booted out in the group stages. Only last year, we were shown the door in the first round of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar!

Advertisement

However, albeit he has come against an avalanche of criticism for the afore­mentioned fiascos, the incum­bent FA President insists he is steadily building a strong foundation for Ghana football – also pointing to the Catch-Them-Young Referee policy that is expected to produce a sturdily steady flow of the Knights-of-the-Whistle across the continent.

It seems to many that Ghanaians are not really concerned too much about the future; what they need now is the result! No patience to wait, it appears to be!

The recent capitulation of the Black Meteors in the just-ended AFCON Under-23 tournament in Morocco, cul­minating in the team’s failure to grab a ticket to the Paris 2024 Games, seems to have pumped further weight on Kurt whose opponents accuse his administra­tion of corruption and poor leadership.

Indeed, Alhaji Karim Grusah – a member of the GFA Executive Commit­tee, has badgered on the FA – accusing it of cor­ruption – al­lega­tion that has not been responded to. Perhaps, at the appropriate time, the FA hierarchy would react to clear their image.

Advertisement

Certainly, opponents of Kurt would fancy these devel­opments – hoping to ride home the damage to victory.

Strappingly contesting Kurt for his seat is the former Vice President of the GFA, George Afriyie, who lost to the incum­bent in the final round of the 2019 elections.

Others vying for the top post are Kojo Yankah, the for­mer chairman of the Western Regional Football Association and the bankroller of Berekum Chelsea, Bernard Nana Yaw Amofa Jantuah

Clearly, this year’s elec­tions will be contested with ruthless intensity – and the coming days should generate an amperage of interest all the way to October.

Advertisement

At the end of the day, it is the hope and expec­tation of many that Ghana football would emerge the winner.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Hot!

Dr Sammy Ayeh defends Baba Jamal recall, rejects comparison with Hajia Amina Adam

Published

on

Government Communicator , Dr Sammy Ayeh, has defended the decision to recall Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal, amid public debate over alleged vote buying issues linked to the Ayawaso contest.

Dr Ayeh dismissed suggestions that the recall should be compared to the case of Hajia Amina Adam, who has been mentioned by some commentators as a government appointee.

He argued that the comparison does not hold because the two roles are not the same.

He questioned claims that Hajia Amina Adam serves on three boards, stating that only the Hajj Board has been publicly identified.

Advertisement

He indicated that there was no clear evidence to support assertions that she holds multiple board positions.

According to Dr Ayeh, Baba Jamal’s former position as High Commissioner carried a different level of responsibility.

He explained that a high commissioner represents the President and Ghana’s image abroad, which he described as distinct from board membership.

He maintained that the recall should therefore not be interpreted as unfair or inconsistent treatment.

Advertisement

In his view, the nature of Baba Jamal’s diplomatic role justified separate consideration.

By: Jacob Aggrey

Continue Reading

Hot!

Minority Caucus demands release of Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, alleges abuse of power by NIB

Published

on

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called for the immediate release of Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, accusing the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) of abusing its powers in the conduct of investigations against him.

In a press statement dated February 11, 2026, and signed by Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Caucus described the actions of the NIB as “unacceptable” and politically motivated.

According to the statement, the issue began on February 3, 2026, when the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, wrote to the Director-General of the NIB.

In the letter, he requested an investigation into an allegation reportedly made by Mr. Ofosu Nkansah on Sompa Radio 106.5.

Advertisement

The allegation suggested that an individual had paid money to secure a scholarship to study abroad. The letter further directed the NIB to submit its findings.

The Minority said Mr. Ofosu Nkansah was first invited to the NIB office on February 5, 2026, to assist with investigations.

He reportedly honoured the invitation and appeared with his lawyer, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South.

After the meeting, he was allowed to go home without being charged.

Advertisement

However, the Caucus said the NIB invited him again on February 9, while he was in Kumasi visiting his seriously ill father.

According to the statement, he informed the Bureau that he could not report immediately due to his father’s condition and requested to appear on February 11 instead.

The Minority claimed the NIB insisted he report earlier.

The statement further alleged that when Mr. Ofosu Nkansah reported to the NIB, heavily armed officers took him to his residence to conduct a search and later returned him to the NIB office at Nima in Accra.

Advertisement

The Minority Caucus questioned the need for what it described as “forcible actions,” especially when, in its view, Mr. Ofosu Nkansah had been cooperative.

It also claimed that his rights were infringed upon and alleged that he had been taken to an unknown location without access to his legal counsel.

“As far as we know, Mr. Ofosu is at an unknown location,” the statement said, adding that the situation was worrying.

The Caucus argued that such actions could undermine Ghana’s democracy and the rule of law. It maintained that investigations should be conducted in a civil and lawful manner.

Advertisement

The Minority also linked the incident to what it described as broader national concerns, including delays in payments to cocoa farmers, unemployment and the rising cost of living.

It urged the government to focus its attention on addressing these economic challenges instead.

By: Jacob Aggrey

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending