GFA President Kurt Okraku Reiterates Deep Frustration with Coaching Standards in Ghanaian Football
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has once again voiced his longstanding dissatisfaction with the quality and standards of coaching in Ghana, describing it as a systemic issue that continues to hold back the development of the sport at all levels.
Speaking during the ongoing CAF Licence A coaching course at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, Okraku did not mince words in expressing his disappointment.
“I have never, never, never been happy with coaching,” he declared emphatically. “When I say coaching standards in Ghana have been poor, I really mean it.”
The GFA President stressed that his criticism is not casual or recent—it reflects a deep and persistent concern about the lack of professionalisation, structured development, continuous training, and modern tactical awareness among Ghanaian coaches. He believes these shortcomings have contributed significantly to the inconsistent performances of Ghanaian clubs and national teams on the continental and global stages.
Okraku’s remarks come against the backdrop of earlier GFA commitments to reform. During the 2023 GFA Congress in Kumasi, the Executive Council explicitly identified coaching and refereeing as two critical areas requiring urgent and comprehensive attention. Despite some progress in licensing courses and partnerships with CAF, the GFA boss maintains that the pace and depth of improvement remain inadequate.
His latest comments have reignited debate within the Ghanaian football community. Stakeholders, including former players, club executives, and coaching professionals, have echoed calls for:
- Mandatory continuous professional development (CPD) for all licensed coaches
- Stricter enforcement of CAF and FIFA coaching benchmarks
- Increased investment in coach education infrastructure
- Greater collaboration between the GFA, universities, and international partners
- Incentives for coaches to pursue advanced qualifications
Okraku has consistently argued that without world-class coaching standards, Ghana will struggle to produce technically proficient players capable of competing consistently at the highest levels. He has hinted that the GFA is exploring further reforms, including potential mandatory licensing upgrades and partnerships to raise the bar for local technical personnel.
The GFA President’s candid assessment is seen by many as both a challenge and a call to action for coaches, academies, clubs, and the broader football ecosystem to prioritise excellence in technical development.
As Ghana prepares for future international assignments including the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and upcoming continental competitions the focus on improving coaching quality remains one of the most pressing items on the GFA’s reform agenda.
