FEATURE: The election of Kurt Okraku and the huge task ahead

The election of Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku as President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) may have come and gone, but what is most important at this point would be his ability to unite and join all forces for the common good of Ghana football.

Rightly so, chief among Okraku’s victory speech was clearly underscored as the new president of the GFA called on everyone to unite to help revive Ghana football. “It is the time I call for unity, football is a team sport, I cannot do it alone, my team cannot do it alone”, Okraku said.

This election would go down in history as the most democratic ever, as it afforded candidates the opportunity to lay out their solutions to the myriad of problems confronting the administration of football in this country.

Candidates mapped out detailed strategies on how to restore sanity to our football in a contest of ideas.

Manifestoes were launched, and debate organized all to test the capacity of the candidates to lead to the restoration of football.

In one of those mediums, George Afriyie, one of the front runners in the election decided not to take part.

That dreadful decision may have cost him a few votes, as it clearly depicted a man who was so full of himself and assured of victory.

However, we should not turn a blind eye to the bickering, slander, vilification, machinations, lies and alleged vote buying, as they did not add any beauty to the election. It is a shame that even journalists, who were supposed to know better, were the co-conspirators.

The various security agencies once again failed to show their mettle by following up on some of these allegations which were rife.

It is worrying that in spite of our tortuous journey, people aspiring to lead the administration of football in Ghana, would be complicit in the alleged influence of delegates.

In spite of the antagonism, this election has also shown the depth of knowledge of the candidates.

Amanda Clinton showed great poise, grit and eloquence. She may not necessarily have convinced anyone with her expertise in football matters, but the young lawyer has shown her enthusiasm.

George Ankomah Mensah was very articulate and meticulous. As an experienced lawyer, he proved he can be very innovative.

Nana Yaw Amponsah is young, yes very young but he has his future ahead of him. Amponsah’s great ideas must not be allowed to go waste. The well-mannered gentleman is an asset to Ghana football.

Fred Pappoe needs no introduction to football in this country. Pappoe’s great ideas and abilities are well known to even all the candidates, and be tapped fully.

Okraku’s ability to utilize the potential of George Afriyie could be crucial. Afriyie has garnered experience over the years, and must be put to good use.

Apart from Kurt Okraku and the newly elected Executive Council, Accra Great Olympics and Alhaji Grunsah’s King Faisal benefitted immensely from the extraordinary congress.

The two clubs due to their longstanding issue in the law courts, have been included in the league to resolve the litigations, probably, to give the new administration, a clean slate to execute its mandate.

Four years may be long but it will soon arrive in no time.

There’s a lot to do for Ghana football and this Okraku is fully aware; the status quo must not remain.

The new president has already outlined his vision, and he would be subjected to strict scrutiny to fully meet his obligations.

Ghanaians are yearning for domestic football, and hopefully it would come to fruition. The enormous responsibility is however, a shared responsibility.

By: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamfi @iam_adugyamfi on twitter