Sports
Vincent Assafuah cautions against extending the GFA tenure of office
Member of Parliament for Old Tafo and Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports, Vincent Ekow Assafuah Esq. has expressed strong opposition to the proposal to increase the number of terms a person can serve as President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
He noted that the current GFA President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, is reported to be seeking a third term in office, which violates Article 37(4) of the GFA’s 2019 Statutes.
According to him, these rules were put in place to prevent the concentration of power and political interference in football governance.
He warned that changing the rules to favour one person undermines the very constitution that brought the current leadership to power.
He described any attempt to amend the statute as a clear effort to entrench personal power at the expense of institutional stability.
He argued that the GFA is a national institution, not a tool for individual promotion or political influence.
Touching on claims of political backing for Mr. Okraku’s third-term bid, Assafuah described them as troubling.
He pointed to unverified suggestions that elements within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) or government circles were allegedly supporting the GFA President’s continued stay in office.
He criticised the state broadcaster, GBC, for publishing content that appears to support Mr. Okraku’s ambition while distorting facts and presenting half-truths.
He warned that football must not be dragged into partisan politics, recalling the 2018 dissolution of the GFA following the “Number 12” exposé as a reminder of what can go wrong when leadership is compromised.
He urged anyone making political claims to provide evidence or face public accountability for sowing distrust and division.
Assafuah insisted that no political party should interfere with football governance and called on the government to maintain its neutral stance.
He stressed that Ghanaian football needed leadership based on merit and fairness, not personal ambition or manipulation of the rules.
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
