The President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has been urged to accept the hard truth that Ghana football is going through a tough phase and needs immediate attention. The recent 4-2 defeat of the Black Stars to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium has raised concerns among supporters about the direction of the national team. This result, combined with the team's loss to Côte d’Ivoire in the opening match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, has left the Black Stars without a point from their first two matches.
The current state of Ghana football extends beyond the Black Stars to other national teams and the domestic game. The country's failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was a significant setback, marking the first time the Black Stars had missed the tournament in two decades. Furthermore, the Black Queens' 2-1 defeat to Malawi in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations ended Ghana's hopes of securing automatic qualification for the Women’s World Cup. These setbacks have led to questions about the direction of Ghana football and whether enough is being done to build strong and competitive national teams.
Several key questions have been raised about the state of Ghana football, including the development of national teams, the quality of the Ghana Premier League, and long-term plans for young players and coaches. There are also concerns about football infrastructure, attracting supporters to stadiums, and making domestic football financially sustainable. These questions reflect the concerns of a football-loving public that has invested its emotions, time, and resources in the game for many years.
Criticism of the Ghana Football Association is an important part of leadership, especially when it comes from people who have followed the game closely and are concerned about developments within the football administration. Not everyone who criticises the GFA is an enemy of the Association; rather, they may be seeking to help the leadership identify weaknesses and make necessary changes. The GFA president must listen to concerns from supporters, former players, coaches, club administrators, journalists, and other stakeholders.
What Ghana football needs is a leadership structure that allows room for honest advice and constructive criticism. Mr Okraku needs people around him who can provide him with objective feedback, rather than those who will only praise his decisions. The domestic league cannot simply be viewed as another competition; it must be treated as the foundation of Ghana football, as a strong domestic structure should provide the players, coaches, and competitive environment needed to strengthen the national teams.
There must be greater attention to women’s football, youth development, coaching education, scouting, football infrastructure, and the general welfare of players. The future of Ghana football cannot depend solely on the emergence of a few talented individuals. The GFA must be prepared to measure its progress honestly, rather than relying mainly on programmes, announcements, and ceremonies. Football administration must ultimately produce results that supporters can see on the pitch and experience within the domestic game.
The Black Stars' poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign has created another moment that requires serious reflection. Mr Okraku must be prepared to accept criticism, learn from it, and seek help where necessary. The GFA should be willing to listen to people outside its immediate circle and consider fresh ideas from former players, coaches, administrators, club owners, supporters, journalists, and football development experts. What Ghana needs now is action, not excuses, to restore confidence among supporters and rebuild the strength of the national teams.
Key points
- The Ghana Football Association president, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has been urged to accept criticism and seek help to address the current challenges facing Ghana football.
- The country's recent football setbacks, including the Black Stars' poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, have raised concerns about the direction of the national team.
- The GFA must be willing to listen to people outside its immediate circle and consider fresh ideas to restore confidence among supporters and rebuild the strength of the national teams.
