Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku says he welcomes constructive criticism of his leadership, arguing that no football administrator in Ghana has enjoyed universal support while in office.
Speaking to 3Sports, Okraku described criticism as a normal part of leadership and said he appreciates scrutiny when it is intended to improve Ghanaian football.
“It’s okay for people to speak their minds,” he said. “I love people who are not only critical, but are constructive.”
‘Every administration has faced criticism’
The GFA president cited previous football administrators, including Kofi Amoah, who chaired the Normalisation Committee, and former GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi, as examples of leaders who faced intense criticism during their respective tenures.
“President Kofi Amoah, who served as the president of the FA during the normalisation, faced fierce criticism during his tenure. President Kwesi Nyantakyi, same,” Okraku said.
He noted that despite the criticism surrounding Nyantakyi’s administration, Ghana achieved significant milestones during his tenure.
“At the end, he took Ghana to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. He took Ghana to the finals of the AFCON. He did his part, and my job is also to play my part,” he added.
Okraku confident history will judge his tenure
Okraku said he believes his administration will receive a more balanced assessment after he leaves office, suggesting that history often provides a different perspective on leadership.
Drawing a comparison with Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, he expressed confidence that his contributions to the development of Ghanaian football would eventually be recognised.
“I would say that when I’m gone, just like Kwame Nkrumah, people will appreciate. And people will not only appreciate, but people will remember the good things that we did for Ghana football,” he said.
Okraku’s comments come amid continued public debate over the direction of Ghanaian football, with governance, administration and the performance of the national teams remaining key issues in discussions about the future of the sport.
The GFA administration continues to face scrutiny from sections of the football community, while Okraku maintains that constructive criticism is an important part of improving the game.
