The Ghana Football Association has hinted it could hold a meeting with clubs to discuss the fate of the season via video conference amid the coronavirus shutdown. 

Football in Ghana has been suspended since March this year due to the novel outbreak.

However, the Ghana Football Association plans to hold an Extraordinary Congress involving all 126 members to deliberate on the future of the 2019/2020 season following the gradual easing of restrictions by the government.

“We took a decision to organize an extraordinary Congress to deliberate on a number of football issues, but COVID-19 happened, and public gathering was banned,” a statement signed by FA boss Kurt Okraku on Thursday read.

“Currently, the approved protocols allow a gathering of 100 people. However, the membership of the GFA Congress, the Secretariat staff, and the media who attend Congress will be far beyond the limit. As a result, we are unable to organize Congress as we used to.

“It is, however, refreshing to note that recently, the registrar general’s department has indicated a possibility of holding Annual General Meetings of Companies online after meeting certain criteria and obtaining approval from the Registrar’s Department.

“We are currently exploring the idea of holding a Congress online after receiving the necessary approval from the Registrar of Companies. When this becomes possible, the Secretariat would communicate to all members appropriately. ”

The league’s suspension means doubt has been cast over the 2019-20 season will finish.

culled from Ghanasoccernet

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President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku has no ‘doubt’ C.K Akonnor was the right man to lead the Black Stars following the departure of Kwesi Appiah. 



According to Kurt Okraku, the former Asante Kotoko Coach went through the mill to reach the top and believes he fully deserves to be coach of the Black Stars.

“First of all coach Kwesi Appiah exited and we had to decide on who to give the responsibility to, the council considered a few names, lots of circumstances were also considered, and then we decided on C.K Akonnor,” he told Ghanaweb.

“I think that C.K AKonnor has paid his dues when it comes to football, played here in the premier league for Okwahu United and Ashantigold, went to Germany played twelve years thereabout in the Bundesliga, captained Wolfsburg, captained our own national team, came back here coached Hearts of Oak, Eleven Wise, Dreams FC, Ashantigold and Asante Kotoko.

“He’s had varied levels of experience as a trainer and if there is somebody who deserves the opportunity, it is someone who has dedicated himself to the national course. He’s risen to the highest level, played at the highest level and coached at the highest level.”



culled from: Ghanasoccernet

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Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku says it will be a challenging period for the various stakeholders of the Football Association if the 2019/20 football season is canceled.

The GFA has engaged its stakeholders to decide on the future of the season whether to truncate or cancel the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The GFA has announced that it will make a decision on 30 June 2020 to decide on the future of the 2019/20 football season.

According to Kurt Okraku, the football industry has not been stable since 2017 and is currently facing a big challenge being the Covid-19 pandemic.
He stated that should the league be cancelled due to the Covid-19, a lot of clubs would be in turmoil.

“It will be another challenging period for the clubs, referees, match commissioners, if the season is cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he told Ohene-Bampoe Brenya via Zoom on Happy 98.9FM.

“At the lower leagues, football indirectly contributes a lot to the economy. Also with football, sponsors will not continue to bring their money on board. The GFA will lose partners, Clubs will also lose their deals with partners and sponsors, Players may lose either their contracts or endorsements, fans will also lose that excitement they get when they watch the games.

Kurt also revealed that the Covid-19 has led the FA to loss a potential sponsor as there were engagements ongoing before the league was halted.

He added that with football suspended and the challenges facing the GFA, the only revenue or guarantee of money for the FA will be the FIFA Forward money which will not be adequate for running football in the country.

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The Ghana Football Association has pleaded with the clubs to exercise patience as they await the Emergency CODVID-19 fund from FIFA.

Kurt Okraku revealed that the Ghana FA is expecting two funds from FIFA; The FIFA forward fund and the FIFA CODVI-19 fund.

“We are also waiting for FIFA to fast track the process and get us the Emergency fund,” he told Happy Sports

“We are expecting two funds from FIFA; The FIFA Forward fund and FIFA CODVID-19 fund” he added.

He furthermore stated that the GFA will share the CODVID-19 fund when it is paid to the FA.

“FIFA Forward money, you can’t withdraw cash, you can’t take a loan with the cash and you can’t misappropriate the fund,” he said

“We have explained this to the clubs and again, the Emergency fund is still being expected and we shall share with the clubs wen the money is paid to the FA” he added.

Football in Ghana remains suspended as Coronavirus cases continue to increase in the country.

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The 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League was officially launched on Friday 21st of December.

Club representatives, the GFA officials, the Vice President, Journalists and fans gathered to witness the new era of football in the country.

The GFA President Kurt Okraku addressed the audience in the event, he revealed some changes and new developments ahead of the season. Here are some of the key points he pointed out in his speech:

– Premier League: Top six coaches at the end of the season will be taken to Europe for attachment.

– Division One: Winning coach of each zone will be taken to a European club for attachment.

– Women’s League: Top three coaches will be taken to a European club for attachment.

– Top six teams will get monetary rewards at the season’s end (all domestic competitions).

– Betting companies are barred from using the fixtures of the Ghana Premier League without authorization from the Ghana Football Association

Top six coaches in the Ghana Premier League will also go for attachment at top European football clubs to upgrade their knowledge at end of the season – @ghanafaofficial President Kurt Okraku pic.twitter.com/KhNOp8yyBG

— Sahara Football (@SaharaFootball) December 20, 2019

The Ghana Premier League will officially kick off next weekend.

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Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku says the Football Association is working to ensure that officiating improves ahead of the new football season by securing accommodation and transportation for officiating officials.



According to Kurt Okraku, there have been efforts made to ensure that officiating gets better with the organization of seminars and also the FA is working to reduce minimal contact between referees and other parties.

Speaking to reporters at the GFA Ordinary Congress held on Thursday he said, “We started the process by engaging the Referee’s Association of Ghana. We continue with the appointment of sub-committees for referees. Beyond which we organized an integrity seminar for the referees.

He also revealed that the referees list been scrutinized to ensure only those with integrity are selected to officiate matches when the league season begins.

“Referee list is been scrutinized and downsized. We are improving financial incentives giving to referees”.

Kurt Okraku added that plans are underway to secure a transport company and hotels to ensure referees do not come into contact with club administrators and other parties interested in fixing games.

“We are arranging a transport company and hotel to be back of the strategy to ensure we minimize the human connection factor in their attempt to deliver good service to us”.

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The President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku and some members of the Executive Council were at the Kotoka International Airport to see off the national Under 23 team, the Black Meteors for the African Under 23 Championship in Egypt.

The President was accompanied by Messrs Randy Abbey, Kingsley Osei Bonsu, and Samuel Anim Addo, and in a brief address to the team, the GFA President urged the players to go out there and dedicate themselves and prove to the world that they are indeed from Ghana.

“It’s been sixteen years since we qualified to the Olympics and you have about three or four games away from a ticket to the Olympics. We believe you can do it so believe in yourselves and do it for Ghana,” said the GFA President.

The GFA President also advised the players to listen attentively to their technical team throughout their campaign in Egypt.

A member of the GFA Executive Council, Randy Abbey, also urged the team to seize the golden opportunity presented them to make history.

“You have a chance to make history; a chance to end our long wait to the Olympics. Please go all out and make history,” Randy Abbey told the players.

source: GhanaFA

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Accompanied by some members of the newly-formed Executive Council of the GFA, the FA President told the players that the visit was to reassure them of the unflinching support of the GFA and the football fraternity.

The national Olympic team has not played at the Olympic Games since 2004 in Athens, and the new GFA boss urged them to remain committed to the national cause and end the 15-year-old Olympics jinx.

“You have an opportunity to make history and make a man for yourself, your family and most importantly your country,” the GFA President told the Black Meteors.

Mr. Okraku adviced the players to remain focused on the task ahead, as well as heed the advice of their coaches.

Members of the Executive Council who accompanied the President; Messrs Mark Addo, Nana Oduro Sarfo, Samuel Anim Addo and Randy Abbey, also advised the players to remain focused on the task ahead.

Head Coach of the team, Ibrahim Tanko, on behalf of the technical team thanked the President and his delegation for visiting them.



“Your visit means a lot to us. This is your first official day in office and we are really happy and encouraged that you have remembered us with this visit,” said Ibrahim Tanko.

“We can assure you that we will go to Egypt and fight for the nation. We don’t want to just go and qualify; we want to go there and win the trophy for our country Ghana, in shaa Allah,” added coach Tanko.

The Vice Captain of the side, Kwame Baah also thanked the President and his team and also assured them of the team’s commitment to the task ahead in Egypt.

The Black Meteors will take part in the African Under 23 Championship in Egypt for one of Africa’s three slots for the 2020 Olympic Games in Egypt. Ghana is in Group A with Egypt, Cameroon and Mali.



source: GhanaFA

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Mr. Okraku won secured votes in the third round of the elections which was held at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra.

The astute football administrator and former sports journalist secured 44 votes in the first round of voting with George Afriyie coming close with 40 votes whiles Nana Yaw Amponsah and Fred Pappoe getting 27 and 6 votes respectively.

In the second round of the elections, Mr. Kurt Okraku missed the required 50% plus one by just two votes after he secured 59 votes whiles George Afriyie got 43 votes with Nana Yaw Amponsah also earning 16 votes.

The election was then thrown into a third round of voting in accordance with the GFA Statutes and to elect a winner who can cross the 50 plus one mark.

Mr. George Afriyie, however, announced his decision to pull out of the race and congratulated Mr. Kurt Okraku.

However, a third round of voting was held with Mr. Kurt Okraku as the sole candidate which saw him secure 93 votes to emerge as the winner of the elections.

Meanwhile the following were also elected as members of the Executive Council on Thursday 24 October 2019:

PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS

Tony Aubynn

George Amoako

Frederick Acheampong

Nana Oduro Safo

Kingsley Osei Bonsu

DIVISION ONE LEAGUE CLUBS

Randy Abbey

Mark Addo

Samuel Anim Addo

WOMEN’S LEAGUE CLUBS

Abiba Attah Forson

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