President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Kurt Okraku has, in a unanimous decision, won a re-election to lead the Association for another four-year term in an Elective Congress held at the Global Dreams Hotel in Tamale, the Northern region of Ghana.
This victory comes after going unopposed in the contest as his only contender, George Afriyie, was disqualified following infractions in his nomination forms.
Okraku garnered 97.5% votes as he secured an impressive 117 out of the total 120 votes cast, President, with two individuals voting against him and one abstaining.
President Okraku, who has been at the helm of the GFA since 2019, has been acclaimed for his commitment to improving Ghanaian football and bringing positive changes to the country’s football administration. Under his leadership, various initiatives have been implemented to develop local talent, enhance infrastructure, and promote transparency within the organisation.
In his acceptance speech, President Okraku expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the GFA members and pledged to continue working towards the development and advancement of Ghanaian football. He acknowledged the challenges ahead, including nurturing young talent, improving infrastructure, and strengthening grassroots football programmes.
The disqualification of George Afriyie, the former Vice President of the Association, has generated controversy within the football community, and his decision to challenge his disqualification in court and further petition the Court of Arbitration for Sport have further complicated matters, creating a tense atmosphere leading up to the re-election.
Additionally, an injunction filed by relegated King Faisal is still pending resolution, with the court setting October 12 for the hearing.
Despite these legal challenges, the GFA proceeded with the elections on Thursday, October 5, with President Okraku receiving an overwhelming endorsement from delegates.
He had made frantic efforts to engage with the football community during his campaign, presenting his vision for the future and addressing concerns raised by various stakeholders. His strong track record and commitment to transparency and good governance were significant factors in securing overwhelming support from the voting members.
However, critics argue that the lack of a competitive election deprives the GFA of an opportunity for a democratic process and hampers the growth of the organisation.
They believe that healthy competition and diverse perspectives are essential for the continued progress of Ghanaian football. The legal battle surrounding George Afriyie’s disqualification has also raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.
But GFA’s focus now shifts towards the future, with President Okraku’s re-election solidifying his mandate to lead and steer the organisation in the right direction. He has pledged to unite the Football fraternity, and he called on all to join the force to building a strong team for the upcoming AFCON2023 and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
