Kurt Okraku, president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), says he is open to criticism of his administration as long as it is helpful and advances the sport.

Mr. Okraku stated that no GFA president had experienced total tranquillity while in office and that criticism was an unavoidable aspect of governing Ghanaian football.

In an interview with 3Sports, he stated that while stakeholders should be allowed to voice their opinions, they should make sure that their concerns are directed toward advancing the sport.

"People are free to express their opinions. Mr. Okraku remarked, "I love people who are not only critical but constructive, as I said at the Congress in Kumasi."


“It’s normal. I don’t think any leader in our football space has enjoyed absolute peace.”

Mr Okraku cited former GFA presidents Kofi Amoah and Kwesi Nyantakyi as examples of administrators who faced criticism during their time in office.

“President Kofi Amoah, who served as president during the Normalisation Committee, faced fierce criticism during his tenure. President Kwesi Nyantakyi, same,” he said.

Despite the criticism directed at Mr Nyantakyi, Mr Okraku pointed to Ghana’s return to the FIFA World Cup and the Black Stars’ run to the Africa Cup of Nations final under his leadership as evidence of his contribution to the game.

“At the end, he took Ghana to 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,” Mr Okraku said.

The GFA president said he remained focused on making his own contribution to Ghana football, accepting that scrutiny would continue to accompany his leadership.