Ghana football has 'collapsed' under Kurt Okraku, says MP Nana Baffour Awuah

Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah

Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has intensified his criticism of Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku, claiming the country's football has "collapsed" during his tenure.

In his first interview since his public disagreement with the GFA president began, the lawmaker told LUV FM that urgent action was needed to reverse the sport's decline, warning that government intervention may become necessary.

"Football is the passion of the nation, so when things are not going well, we have to say it," he said.

Using the analogy of a drying river, Nana Baffour Awuah argued that problems at grassroots level had contributed to the wider struggles of Ghanaian football.

"When the source of a river is dried, you have no river. You're not doing well at U17, U20 and U23, and your domestic league is not doing well.

"The quality is very poor; everybody knows. Under Okraku, Ghana's football has collapsed, and he has to, or we as a nation do something about it."

Kurt Okraku, who has led the GFA since 2019, became embroiled in a public exchange with the MP after Nana Baffour Awuah urged President John Mahama to reform Ghanaian football, alleging that the association had been taken over by a "cabal".

The GFA president responded during a radio interview, questioning the MP's expertise on football administration and asking how many football pitches he had built in his Manhyia South constituency.

Nana Baffour Awuah countered that his constituency already has three AstroTurfs and insisted the debate should focus on the broader challenges facing the game rather than personal attacks.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars kicked off their disappointing start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Carlos Queiroz's side suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké, with Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié scoring for the hosts.

The result leaves Ghana without a point after their opening Group C fixture, while Côte d'Ivoire moved to the top of the standings.

The Black Stars will aim to secure their first points when they host Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on 29 September.