By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
The government has reportedly asked Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku not to seek a third term in office, as pressure continues to mount over the state of Ghana football and the worsening crisis surrounding the Black Stars.
According to sources close to the situation, the reported position was communicated during discussions between the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the leadership of the GFA following the Black Stars’ disappointing start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
The development comes at a time when the government has increased its engagement with the GFA after Ghana suffered consecutive defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia in the opening two matches of the AFCON qualifiers.
Ghana lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké before suffering a 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. The results left the Black Stars without a point from their opening two Group C matches and triggered widespread criticism of both the technical and administrative leadership of Ghana football.
The poor results were followed by the departure of head coach Carlos Queiroz, whose contract with the GFA was mutually terminated after the defeat to The Gambia. The Sports Ministry subsequently pushed for changes to the structure of the national teams, including the dissolution of the existing technical team and national team management committees.
The reported call for Okraku not to seek another term adds a new dimension to the growing debate over the future leadership of the GFA.
Okraku was elected GFA president in 2019 and secured re-election in 2023. In August 2025, the GFA Congress approved an amendment allowing the association’s president to serve up to three terms, making a potential third term legally possible under the association’s statutes.
However, Okraku has previously declined to confirm whether he intends to contest the 2027 election. In September 2026, he said it was too early to make a decision and that his focus remained on his current mandate. He also indicated that he would speak about his future when the appropriate time comes.
The latest reported position from government is therefore significant, particularly because the question of Okraku’s possible third term has already generated debate within Ghana football.
Some stakeholders have called for changes at the GFA following the Black Stars’ recent struggles. King Faisal owner Alhaji Karim Grusah, for instance, has called for Okraku and the Black Stars management to resign, while the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has called for a broader overhaul of Ghana football.
At the same time, there are football administrators who continue to support Okraku. Aduana FC General Manager Takyi Arhin has publicly stated that he would support Okraku if the GFA president decides to contest for a third term.
The reported government position also raises questions about the relationship between the state and the GFA. The association operates under its own statutes and elects its leadership through Congress, while FIFA places importance on the autonomy of national football associations.
The Sports Ministry has, however, maintained that its recent engagement with the GFA is aimed at addressing the challenges confronting Ghana football rather than dissolving the association. The Ministry has also called for a formal cooperation framework between government and the GFA to improve coordination in areas including the national teams and football development.
For now, the claim that government has specifically asked Okraku not to contest a third term remains a source-based report and has not been publicly confirmed by the government, the Sports Ministry or Okraku himself.
What is clear is that the Black Stars’ recent performances have intensified scrutiny of the GFA leadership and prompted renewed discussions about governance, technical management and the broader direction of Ghana football.
As Ghana prepares for its next AFCON qualifying matches, attention is likely to remain focused not only on the search for a new technical leadership but also on the future of the GFA and whether Kurt Okraku will seek another mandate when the association’s next presidential election is held.
SOURCES:GTV SPORTS’ PLUS
