I would be remembered like Kwame Nkrumah when I leave office as GFA president - Kurt Okraku

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku says he embraces criticism of his administration, insisting that constructive feedback is a vital part of football leadership.

Speaking in an interview with 3Sports, Okraku acknowledged that scrutiny comes with the role, noting that every leader in Ghana football has faced criticism during their tenure.

"It's okay for people to speak their minds," he said. "Like I said at Congress in Kumasi, I love this. I love people who are not only critical, but are constructive."

The GFA president stressed that no football administrator in the country has enjoyed universal support, arguing that criticism has been a constant feature of leadership in the sport.

"It's normal, and I don't think any leader in our football space has enjoyed absolute peace," he added.

Okraku pointed to the experiences of former football administrators, including Kofi Amoah during the Normalisation Committee era and former GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi, both of whom he said came under intense public scrutiny despite their achievements.

“President Kofi Amoah, who served as the president of the FA during the normalisation, faced fierce criticism during his tenure. President Kwesi Nyantakyi, same.”

According to Okraku, Nyantakyi's period in office coincided with some of Ghana's notable successes on the international stage, including reaching the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup and the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.

“In the end, he took Ghana to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. He took Ghana to the finals of the AFCON. He did his part, and my job is also to play my part.”

The GFA president believes a fair assessment of his own leadership will come only after his tenure ends, expressing confidence that his administration's contributions to Ghana football will eventually be recognised.

“I would say that when I'm gone, just like Kwame Nkrumah, people will appreciate. And people will not only appreciate, but people will remember the good things that we did for Ghana football.”

Okraku's remarks come at a time when his administration continues to face debate and scrutiny over the direction of Ghana football, but he remains convinced that history will judge his tenure favourably and acknowledge the impact of the reforms and initiatives introduced under his leadership.