Ghana's two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have reignited their calls for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to be held accountable following the Black Stars' recent defeats in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The team lost 2-0 to Côte d'Ivoire and 4-2 to Gambia, prompting a predictable response from the political class.
This recent outcry is part of a decade-long pattern where both parties have treated GFA governance as a political football, publicly embracing the Black Stars when results are good and demanding administrative overhauls when results are poor. MyJoyOnline's analysis reveals that this cycle has repeated itself over the years, with little structural change to show for it.
The NPP and NDC have consistently linked the Black Stars' performance to the governing party's record in office. In 2024, then-NDC flagbearer John Mahama criticized the NPP's handling of the team, citing its failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. NDC parliamentary candidate Edem Agbana also alleged that Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, associated with the NPP, had influenced the appointment of Chris Hughton as Black Stars head coach.
With the NDC now in government and the Black Stars struggling, the NPP Minority Caucus has called for an independent technical and administrative audit of the team and the GFA. The caucus also demanded a review of the GFA's governance framework, player selection processes, and national-team spending. Seth Panwum, the NPP's spokesperson on sports, called for GFA President Kurt Okraku to resign, citing deeper failures in football management and technical direction.
Okraku had previously credited President Mahama's "reset agenda" with having a positive impact on the Black Stars, which tied the federation's fortunes to the governing party's narrative. However, Okraku also clarified that government funding for national team activities does not amount to government financing of the GFA's broader operations, which has implications for the level of oversight politicians can claim.
The debate over the GFA's governance and accountability has significant implications for Ghanaian football fans. While politicians make public promises of audits and overhauls, concrete reform rarely materializes. The GFA's independence is protected under FIFA statutes, which require a three-quarters majority vote at GFA Congress to dissolve the federation, a threshold that makes it difficult for politicians to follow through on their demands.
As the Black Stars prepare for their next matches, the GFA's governance and accountability will remain under scrutiny. The proposed independent audit and review of the GFA's governance framework may provide an opportunity for meaningful reform, but it remains to be seen whether these efforts will lead to concrete change.
Key points
- The NPP and NDC have consistently used the Black Stars' performance as a political football, demanding accountability from the GFA when results are poor.
- The GFA's independence is protected under FIFA statutes, which require a three-quarters majority vote at GFA Congress to dissolve the federation.
- Concrete reform of the GFA's governance and accountability has been elusive, despite repeated promises from politicians.
