Sannie Daara questions Kurt Okraku’s response to Manhyia South MP

Ibrahim Sannie Daara has criticised GFA President Kurt Okraku for publicly confronting Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah during their recent disagreement over the state of Ghana football.

The Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Deputy General Secretary, speaking on TV3, said Okraku should have handled the criticism differently and questioned whether the GFA president’s executives are providing him with enough support.

“I was not happy when I saw my brother openly confronting the MP, a lawmaker of Ghana, in the way he did. And I was asking myself, where are his executives? Is it that they are not happy with him? Is it that the man is driving alone?” Sannie Daara said.

The disagreement between Okraku and Baffour Awuah followed the MP’s calls for reforms in Ghana football and criticism of the GFA’s administration. Baffour Awuah accused the football governing body of being controlled by a “cabal”, prompting Okraku to respond publicly and question the MP’s football credentials.

Okraku also asked how many football pitches Baffour Awuah had constructed for his constituents in Manhyia South. The MP subsequently responded that his constituency already has three AstroTurf pitches and argued that the debate should focus on the wider problems affecting Ghana football.

Baffour Awuah has continued to criticise the GFA, saying Ghana football has “collapsed under Kurt Okraku’s administration” and calling for broader reforms across the sport.

For Sannie Daara, however, the focus should not be on confrontation but on listening to criticism and taking decisions to address the concerns being raised.

“Kurt Okraku is to listen to himself. Number one, smell the mood in the room. Number two, take decisive decisions based on that,” he said.

He argued that the criticism coming from politicians should not simply be dismissed, particularly at a time when Ghana football is facing growing public scrutiny following the Black Stars’ poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

“Sometimes I can say it publicly. For the record, the public will know that as a duty, I also, as my brother, I've told him things privately. And then let's reflect,” Sannie Daara added.

He further warned that if the GFA fails to respond to the concerns being raised, it risks losing further public and political support.

“We have lost the public already,” he said, calling for reflection from Okraku and the GFA executive.

The Black Stars have lost their opening two AFCON 2027 qualifiers, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké before losing 4-2 to The Gambia in Accra after taking a two-goal lead. The results have intensified the debate over the leadership and direction of Ghana football.