George Afriyie, the former Vice-President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has strongly opposed Kurt Okraku's bid for a third term as GFA President. Afriyie, who lost to Okraku in the 2019 elections and was disqualified from the 2023 presidential race, has vowed to petition the government if Okraku attempts to amend the GFA statutes to enable a third term ¹.
In an interview with Asempa FM, Afriyie expressed his willingness to help Okraku succeed but emphasized that any attempt to amend the statutes for a third term should be rejected. He stated, "I really want to help him [Kurt] succeed. I am more than prepared for him to finish his term, but he should forget about the proposed amendments of our statutes to go for a third term."
Afriyie also highlighted the significant role the government plays in the GFA, saying, "The biggest spender of the GFA is the government of Ghana. I will personally write a petition to the government of Ghana. The government has a say" ¹.
Okraku's tenure as GFA President has been marred by controversy, particularly after the Black Stars' disappointing performances in recent tournaments. Despite celebrating the team's qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Okraku has faced criticism for the team's consecutive group-stage exits at the Africa Cup of Nations and failure to qualify for next year's tournament in Morocco.
However, Okraku has also overseen progress in women's football, with the Black Queens qualifying for the Africa Women's Cup of Nations for the first time since 2018. Despite this, Afriyie remains adamant that Okraku should not be allowed to seek a third term, citing the need for change and accountability within the GFA.
The debate surrounding Okraku's potential third term has sparked intense discussion within the Ghanaian football community. With Afriyie's opposition and the government's significant influence over the GFA, it remains to be seen whether Okraku will be successful in his bid for re-election.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0