Sports
GFA does not select players for National teams- Kurt Okraku
The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has dismissed allegations that the GFA selects players for the national team.
The responsibility for player selection, he clarified, lies with the technical team of the Black Stars, led by Coach Otto Addo.
Mr. Okraku emphasized that any coach who allows external influence in player selection would face dismissal.
Speaking at a Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports’ public hearing to address a petition from the “Fix Ghana Group.”
The group organized a demonstration in Accra after the Black Stars’ early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Mr. Okraku expressed disappointment that the group had not engaged with the GFA leadership before petitioning Parliament and taking to the streets.
He welcomed the hearing as an opportunity to explain the issues and clear up misconceptions.
Mr. Okraku also addressed concerns about referee compensation, explaining that referees in Ghana are not full-time employees and hold other jobs.
“Payments to referees are made after matches, in line with global practices,” he said.
He stressed that it is improper for any referee to know match results before officiating, underscoring the integrity of the sport.
Chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports, Hon. Kobena Mensah Woyome, stated that the purpose of the hearing was to gather the GFA’s perspective before presenting a report to the Speaker of Parliament.
One key issue raised during the session was the payment of $100,000 to the GFA’s Management Committee members as bonus.
In response, Dr. Randy Abbey, a management member of the GFA, explained that financial matters, including tournament budgets and qualifying fees, are handled by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Dr.Abbey noted that the GFA management does not receive salaries or allowances for their work and criticized the tendency to hold the GFA accountable only in times of failure, without recognizing their efforts in times of success.
Presentations were also made by the Association of Referees and veteran coaches during the session.
Sports
Kurt E.S Okraku elected CAF Executive Committee member
The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has been successfully elected as a member of the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The four-year term runs from 2025-2029.
The President, who was elected uncontested, joins the 24-member committee of the powerful body of the continent’s governing body.
Kurt Okraku’s election to the CAF Executive Committee comes as recognition of his remarkable leadership at the Football Association, where he has worked to rejuvenate Ghanaian football since taking office in 2019.
His efforts to enhance transparency, promote grassroots football, women’s football and focus on youth development have been well noted within the African football community.
With Ghana’s strong footballing tradition and legacy, the presence of the GFA boss on the CAF EXCO is seen as an opportunity to advance the interests of the country and help promote football development across Africa.
Mr. Okraku’s role will give Ghana a stronger voice in the decision-making processes that shape the future of football on the continent.
President Simeon-Okraku becomes the sixth Ghanaian to serve on the CAF Executive Committee in a list that includes Ohene Djan, Kobina Hagan, Nana Fredua Mensah, Samuel Okyere, and Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Sports
GFA concludes training of Club Safety and Security Officers and Regional Sports Security Officers
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has successfully concluded its training program for Club Safety and Security Officers (CSSOs) and Regional Sports Security Officers (RSSOs).
This comprehensive training, which took place from March 7 to March 10, 2025, aimed to throw more light on the enhance safety and security measures across Ghanaian football.
The training was conducted zonally, covering all 86 elite clubs and 16 regions. Participants were divided into three zones, with Zone 2 covering the Ashanti, Western, Western North, and Central Regions, and Zones 1 and 3 covering the remaining regions.
The training modules included:
Challenges of Safety and Security in Ghana: Identifying and addressing key safety and security concerns in Ghanaian football.
Roles of the Club Safety and Security Officer (CSSO) and collaboration with Regional Safety and Security Officers (RSSO): Defining the roles and responsibilities of CSSOs and RSSOs, and promoting effective collaboration between them.
Club Safety and Security Officer Checklist: Providing a comprehensive checklist for CSSOs to ensure that all safety and security protocols are in place.
Introduction to the Enhanced Safety and Security Protocols 2025: Introducing new safety and security protocols aimed at improving safety and security at match venues.
Practicum and scenario session: Providing hands-on training and scenario-based exercises to prepare participants for real-world safety and security challenges.
The training workshop was led by DCOP Lydia Donkor, Chairperson of the Security Committee. Others included Capt (Rtd) Nick Owusu, Vice Chairman of the Safety Committee, Julius Ben Emunah, Head of Competitions, John Ansah, Felix Bewu and Emmanuel Osei, members of the Safety and Security Committee.
This training is part of the GFA’s enhanced approach to ensuring improved safety and security at match venues across all competitions.
