Jerry Ahmed Shaib defends MPs' right to criticise state of Ghana football

Weija-Gbawe MP Jerry Ahmed Shaib has defended Parliamentarians’ right to comment on the state of Ghanaian football, describing Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku’s response to criticism from his colleague Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah as inappropriate.

The comments follow a public disagreement between Okraku and the Manhyia South MP, who criticised aspects of Ghana football, including the state of football facilities and the direction of the sport.

Okraku subsequently questioned Awuah’s knowledge of football and suggested that he should have engaged the GFA privately rather than raising his concerns publicly.

Shaib, however, said being a Member of Parliament should not prevent legislators from expressing their views on football, particularly given the importance of the sport to Ghanaians.

“I think we are so power-drunk in Ghana. You become the bad person when you criticise someone in power. So now even as Members of Parliament we can't talk about football because we are MPs,” he told Asempa FM.

Shaib said he agreed with Awuah’s concerns about the current state of Ghanaian football, arguing that the standard had declined compared with previous generations.

“I listened to my colleague, Agyei Baffour Awuah. I don't know where he had the interview, but I agree with him 100%. Football is not the same standard we came to meet,” he said.

The MP recalled watching some of Ghana’s leading players from previous generations, including former Black Stars midfielders Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari.

“I have seen the likes of Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, among others. I went to the World Cup to watch the games, and I was on tenterhooks, not knowing when to scream, laugh or smile. Our hearts are in football,” he added.

Shaib also criticised Okraku’s response to Awuah, arguing that football is a national issue and should be open to public scrutiny.

“So for a Member of Parliament to comment on football and the feedback from the GFA President is to attack the Member of Parliament, it's so gross and repulsive. So low and unbecoming of a GFA President,” he said.

He also questioned Okraku’s suggestion that people with concerns about Ghana football should contact the GFA directly.

“The GFA President said we should call. If we have a problem, everybody should call the FA. Is that what he was requesting us to do?” Shaib asked.

The Weija-Gbawe MP further argued that Awuah’s proposals should be considered as part of the wider discussion about the future of Ghanaian football rather than dismissed.

Awuah has continued to raise concerns about the state of the game and has called for reforms to the GFA’s governing framework.

The exchange has added to an ongoing public debate about the administration, development and future direction of Ghana football.