Stay true to your principles – Akufo-Addo to Okraku

President Akufo-Addo has admonished the newly elected Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku, to stay true to his own principles as he assumes the reins of football administration in Ghana.

Addressing the football administrator and his delegation which included his wife, Rebecca Okraku, at the Jubilee House when they paid a courtesy call on him, President Akufo-Addo, indicated that he is impressed with the attitude of transparency and accountability that underpinned his campaign and subsequent rise to the high position of GFA President.

“Stay true to your own principles. I think there are two types of people in this world. There are those who walk to the sound of other people’s drums and those who walk to the sound of their own drums. I much prefer those who walk to the sound of their own drums. So listen to yourself and make sure that the decisions that you are going to make are decisions that are in consonance with your understanding of what is best for Ghana football” President Akufo Addo said.

Government Support

The President assured the GFA President that as long as he remains in the seat as President of Ghana, his government will support the GFA to do what is best for Ghana football.

“You have to know that so long as I am in the seat, you have Unalloyed support about the way you want to take Ghana football” President Akufo Addo stated.

GFA President

In his introductory remarks, GFA President, Kurt Okraku, said football is a sports that certainly needs absolute attention. “That attention that is needed he indicated “cannot only be provided by the football association”.

“The football association and government need to have what I call a sexy relationship. We need government to be able to navigate our industry to the promise land. It is very clear that lessons have been learnt since the 12th of June last year and it is my commitment to ensure that we build an association that embraces all the good principles of good governance” the GFA President noted.

“It is my individual promise to work closely with government to ensure that we deliver our sports and make it consumerble again” Kurt Okraku added.

Background

Kurt Okraku was elected President of the Ghana Football Association after his main competitor, George Afriyie, conceded defeat before the 3rd round of election held on Friday, the 25th of October 2019. The Dreams FC Chief Executive Officer got 59 votes whiles George Afriyie earned 43 votes in the 2nd round of elections. Nana Yaw Amponsah bagged the rest of the 16 votes.

In the first round of the GFA elections held at College of Physicians and Surgeons, Kurt Okraku lead with 44 votes, while former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association, George Afriyie, pulled 40 votes. Nana Yaw Amponsah, secured 27 votes, with Fred Pappoe obtaining 6 votes. Both Amanda Clinton, and George Ankomah had no vote. The position of Ghana Football Association (GFA) President has been vacant since 2018 when Kwesi Nyantakyi resigned following damning revelations in an exposé by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.