Kurt Okraku questions government’s investment in football development

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has questioned the government’s commitment to the long-term development of football in the country, insisting that sustained progress requires investment beyond the efforts of the football governing body.

Ghanaian football has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years following the struggles of the various national teams and the declining fortunes of the Ghana Premier League.

The GFA has faced criticism over its management and development of the game, with concerns raised about the state of football infrastructure, grassroots development and the overall competitiveness of domestic football.

However, speaking before Parliament’s Select Committee on Sports on Wednesday, Okraku called on the government to play a more active role in addressing the challenges confronting the sport.

He argued that the absence of essential infrastructure and sustained investment continues to undermine Ghana’s ambitions of restoring its football fortunes.

The GFA president acknowledged that the association has a responsibility to provide logistical support, improve playing surfaces, secure stadium facilities and appoint competent technical personnel.

However, he maintained that these interventions alone would not be enough to guarantee long-term success.

“If we are to be honest, there is a lot more that brings sustained success in football,” Okraku said.

Mr Okraku identified continuous investment in grassroots football, coach education, international exposure for local coaches, effective scouting systems and quality playing facilities as some of the key areas requiring attention.

“This includes continuous investment in grassroots football, continuous investment in coach education, exposing coaches to the international market, good scouting, and good facilities (football pitches) for the kids and senior teams to play. All this we don’t have in our country,” he added.