Omanghana
The President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku, has said he believes he is the second most criticized public figure in Ghana, ranking only behind the country’s President, as scrutiny of his leadership continues to intensify.
Okraku made the remarks in London during the official launch of the GFA’s UK Talent Identification Program, where he addressed both media pressure and public criticism surrounding his administration.
Speaking candidly, Okraku described the level of attention on his role as persistent and unavoidable, pointing to the intensity of sports media coverage in Ghana.
He noted that football discussions dominate radio and television programming across the country, placing the leadership of the GFA under constant public evaluation.
According to him, criticism often escalates immediately after key football decisions, including squad selections for the national team, the Black Stars.
He referenced recent backlash following head coach Carlos Queiroz’s squad announcement, saying public reaction on social media often turns directly toward him as GFA President.
Despite the pressure, Okraku said he views the scrutiny as part of the job and uses it as motivation to improve his leadership approach and remain open to public feedback.
The comments were made during a wider GFA engagement session held in Bromley, Greater London, which focused on expanding Ghana’s international talent recruitment network.
As part of the program, the GFA brought together around 40 elite youth players of Ghanaian descent from top English academies, including clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Everton.
The initiative is part of a long-term strategy aimed at broadening Ghana’s talent pool by identifying and engaging dual-nationality players early in their development, with the goal of strengthening future national team squads.
During the event, Okraku also referenced the case of Manchester United and England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, describing it as “most unfortunate” that the player opted to represent England at international level despite his Ghanaian heritage.
The remarks highlight the ongoing competition among national federations to secure eligibility commitments from emerging dual-nationality talents.
Meanwhile, the senior national team remains focused on its upcoming competitive fixtures, with preparations underway for international training camps, including planned sessions in Cardiff, Wales.
The GFA says the broader objective is to strengthen both domestic and diaspora scouting systems while ensuring the Black Stars remain competitive on the global stage.
Source: Omanghana
