Ghana lacks structures for sustained football success, says GFA president Kurt Okraku

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku says the country lacks the necessary structures to achieve sustained success in football.

Okraku made the observation when the GFA Executive Council appeared before Parliament’s Select Committee on Youth and Sports on Wednesday, November 4.

The GFA president outlined several key areas that require investment if Ghana is to develop a competitive football system capable of delivering long-term success.

He explained that the association's responsibilities include providing logistics, creating an enabling environment, improving playing surfaces and stadium facilities, as well as recruiting competent technical personnel.

However, Okraku stressed that these measures alone cannot guarantee consistent success, insisting that a broader approach to football development is required.

“Our responsibility is to provide logistics, provide, like I said, an enabling environment, which includes but is not limited to good playing surfaces, stadium facilities, recruiting good technical staff, and then just pray that Almighty God blesses all the big effort that we invest,” he said.

“But if one has to be honest, Mr Chairman, there is a lot more that brings sustained success in football.”

He identified sustained investment in grassroots and Colts football, continuous coach education, international exposure for local coaches, effective scouting systems and quality playing facilities as essential components of a successful football development structure.

According to Okraku, these areas remain critical to building a strong foundation for Ghanaian football and ensuring that the country can consistently produce talented players and compete at the highest level.

He expressed concern, however, that Ghana was yet to establish the necessary systems to support such long-term development.

“All this we don’t have in our country. All of what I have said does not exist in our country,” he added.