Kurt Okraku has not fair bad as GFA president - Sports Minister Kofi Adams

Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams, has expressed his support for the president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, acknowledging that despite the challenges, his leadership has not been without merit.

Okraku, who took over from Kwesi Nyantakyi in October 2019, has overseen a turbulent period for Ghanaian football, particularly with the Black Stars' underperformance in recent international tournaments.

The senior national team has faced criticism for their struggles, including failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 20 years.

However, Minister Adams remains optimistic about Okraku's tenure. Speaking on Asempa FM, he stated, “Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding our football system, Kurt Okraku has not performed poorly. He has worked to address many of the challenges faced by the sport.”

Adams further explained that although the GFA has faced implementation hurdles, the association has been proactive in its planning.

"As challenging as the football system has been, Kurt Okraku has not done badly. In all these circumstances, he has been able to write many wrongs," he told Asempa FM.

"I have had several engagements with the GFA, and I realise that they are always planning on how to develop the game, but the only challenge has been the implementation of it.

"There has been a plan to split the football system into a Southern and Northern belt, where talents will be developed. The GFA has developed Prampram, which is a good thing, and another thing has to do with the Catch Them Young Referee initiative. This was done in silence, which is also good for our game.

"These young referees officiated the African School Championship, which is something we must be proud of.

"These are some of the things that CAF believes Ghana is doing right, which I believe also went in favour of Kurt Okraku getting that position," he added.

While the Black Stars have faced setbacks, other national teams have had successes. The Black Queens have qualified for the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), and the Black Satellites are participating in the ongoing U-20 AFCON in Egypt.