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FA elections brouhaha
• Kurt Okraku
Campaign for the impending elections of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has roared off in earnest amid fire-spitting of venomous ‘verbiage’ across board.
The quadrennial elections is tentatively slated for October, this year, but no specific date has been determined for that purpose yet – at least, as of the time of putting this piece together.
The GFA, which is responsible for setting the parameters – or better still, roadmap for the much-heralded event, is yet to come clear on it – causing lots of agitation and apprehension amongst members of the opposite camp.
“I don’t know whether the elections is coming up this year. And I’ve not started to think about elections yet,” Kurt told SuperSport recently.
“I react to the mood of the people. What I will do is to react exactly to the way the people want.”
Could it be a strategy of paralysis or psychological warfare? Maybe, yes – maybe, no.
Predictably, this year’s elections may be going down as one of the most acrimonious and fiercely-held engagements to elect the man to steer the future of Ghana football for the next four years.
The incumbent – Kurt Edwin Simon Okraku, is seeking re-election after succeeding Kwesi Nyantakyi in 2019.
The October election of Okraku gave birth to the refrain: Bringing back the love for the game – coming on the heels of the Anas exposé on football corruption in Ghana.
Truth is, the ‘Bringing back the love’ mantra almost pulled the trick as thousands were vigorously enamoured by it.
This was seen in the massive support Ghanaians offered the Black Stars on their way to Qatar 2022 World Cup qualification – though the team failed to progress beyond the opening round in the campaign. One could describe it as a bitter-sweet achievement for the Kurt administration.
There were also damning series of first round exits. In the last couple of months, Ghana has failed to qualify for the Under-17 and Under-20 AFCON – though we were defending champions in the latter. We were also bowled out at the group stage during the AFCON 2021 tournament – and even though we swaggered out way to the Championship of African Nations (CHAN), we got booted out in the group stages. Only last year, we were shown the door in the first round of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar!
However, albeit he has come against an avalanche of criticism for the aforementioned fiascos, the incumbent FA President insists he is steadily building a strong foundation for Ghana football – also pointing to the Catch-Them-Young Referee policy that is expected to produce a sturdily steady flow of the Knights-of-the-Whistle across the continent.
It seems to many that Ghanaians are not really concerned too much about the future; what they need now is the result! No patience to wait, it appears to be!
The recent capitulation of the Black Meteors in the just-ended AFCON Under-23 tournament in Morocco, culminating in the team’s failure to grab a ticket to the Paris 2024 Games, seems to have pumped further weight on Kurt whose opponents accuse his administration of corruption and poor leadership.
Indeed, Alhaji Karim Grusah – a member of the GFA Executive Committee, has badgered on the FA – accusing it of corruption – allegation that has not been responded to. Perhaps, at the appropriate time, the FA hierarchy would react to clear their image.
Certainly, opponents of Kurt would fancy these developments – hoping to ride home the damage to victory.
Strappingly contesting Kurt for his seat is the former Vice President of the GFA, George Afriyie, who lost to the incumbent in the final round of the 2019 elections.
Others vying for the top post are Kojo Yankah, the former chairman of the Western Regional Football Association and the bankroller of Berekum Chelsea, Bernard Nana Yaw Amofa Jantuah
Clearly, this year’s elections will be contested with ruthless intensity – and the coming days should generate an amperage of interest all the way to October.
At the end of the day, it is the hope and expectation of many that Ghana football would emerge the winner.
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
