Turbulent Times for Ghana Football: Kwesi Nyantakyi Critiques Kurt Okraku’s Leadership
In a candid interview, former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwesi Nyantakyi has voiced his concerns over the current state of Ghanaian football, criticizing the leadership of Kurt Okraku.
Nyantakyi, who presided over the GFA for over a decade until stepping down amid corruption allegations and a subsequent FIFA ban, believes that Okraku’s administration has not lived up to expectations since he took office.
Elected in 2019 and re-elected unopposed in 2023, Okraku has faced mounting challenges, particularly with the national teams’ performances. The Black Stars have endured disappointing results, including back-to-back early exits from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and a recent failure to qualify for AFCON 2025. Although Okraku’s tenure saw the team qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, their campaign was short-lived, ending in the group stage without a win.
“Football is like pregnancy, and we can all see that all is not well with our game,” Nyantakyi stated during his appearance on Lawson FM. “Kurt Okraku’s administration is not doing well, and that is the truth. I don’t know what is wrong, but we can all see that things are not going right.”
Nyantakyi also highlighted a concerning trend within the GFA—frequent coaching changes. Since Okraku took over, the association has appointed five different coaches in just five years, raising questions about the stability of the administration.
Current head coach Otto Addo is now under intense scrutiny following the team’s recent AFCON 2025 qualification failure, with calls for his dismissal growing louder among fans and pundits alike.
“In five years, the current GFA has appointed five coaches, which is not a sign of a stable administration. These frequent changes have not helped,” Nyantakyi added, echoing a sentiment shared by many who are frustrated with the direction of football in the country.