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Thursday, 5 November 2026
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Ghanaian press · Person

Kurt Okraku

Also known as: Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku · Mr Okraku · Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku · Simeon-Okraku · President Okraku · President Simeon-Okraku · President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku · Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku · GFA boss · Mr Simeon-Okraku · GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku

Ghana Football Association President who has appealed to Parliament for tax exemptions on national team imports and criticized football ticket VAT rates.

2026-04-242026-11-05

News reports

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In coverage

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  1. September 2026
  2. Joy Online

    The Member of Parliament for Effia, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, has called for the removal of Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku and a complete overhaul of the country’s football administration following the Black Stars’ 4-2 defeat to The Gambia. …

    Effia MP calls for Kurt Okraku’s removal, overhaul of Ghana football structure
  3. Joy Online

    Manhyia South MP, Nana Baffour Awuah, has hit back at Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku following a public exchange over the state of Ghana football. …

    ‘FA President has four clubs; what do you think he would do?’ – Nana Baffour Awuah fires back
  4. Joy Online

    Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has slammed Kurt Okraku once again as he calls for football reforms. …

    Kurt Okraku doesn’t like criticism, but Ghana football is beyond him – Nana Baffour Awuah
  5. Joy Online

    Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has slammed Kurt Okraku once again as he calls for football reforms. …

    Kurt Okraku doesn’t like criticism, but Ghana football is beyond him – Manhyia South MP
  6. Joy Online

    Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has doubled down on his stance on Ghana football, saying the game has “collapsed under Kurt Okraku’s administration”. …

    Ghana football has collapsed under Kurt Okraku – Manhyia South MP
  7. Joy Online

    President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has revealed Antoine Semenyo spoke to Carlos Queiroz before sitting out the September-October international break. …

    AFCON 2027Q: ‘Semenyo’s leg is swollen’ – Kurt Okraku
  8. Joy Online

    President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has backed the current players in the Black Stars camp to compete against Cote d’Ivoire. …

    AFCON 2027Q: Kurt Okraku backs ‘good enough’ Black Stars to fight for Ghana
  9. Joy Online

    President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has denied claims that players are intentionally turning down call-ups for the upcoming international break. …

    No player will intentionally decline national team call-up – Kurt Okraku
  10. Joy Online

    Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku says no Ghanaian player has deliberately withdrawn from the Black Stars ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. …

    AFCON 2027Q: ‘No player deliberately turned down Ghana’ – Kurt defends injury withdrawals
  11. Daily Guide

    Kurt Okraku engaging the young players Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has paid a working visit to the National U-15 Boys Team as preparations intensify for the maiden FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan. …

    Kurt Okraku Visits Ghana U-15 Team Ahead Of FIFA World Cup

Today

  1. GFA launches inaugural U-17 Regional Champions Cup

    The Ghana Football Association has launched the Kivo U-17 Regional Champions Cup, a new grassroots football competition designed to showcase emerging talents across the country. The inaugural edition, scheduled for November 8, will feature 13 teams competing at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence over one week.

    6 hours ago · Joy Online →

Yesterday

  1. GFA seeks Parliament action to lift alcoholic beverage sponsorship ban

    Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has appealed to Parliament's Youth and Sports Committee to remove restrictions preventing alcoholic beverage companies from sponsoring sports activities, citing a collapsed $5 million annual sponsorship deal with Guinness Ghana Limited that the Food and Drugs Authority rejected.

    4 November 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. GFA lost $5m annual Premier League sponsorship to FDA alcohol rules

    Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku told Parliament that the GFA lost a potential sponsorship deal worth over $5 million annually when the Food and Drugs Authority blocked a proposed partnership with Guinness Ghana Limited due to regulatory restrictions on alcohol companies sponsoring sporting activities.

    4 November 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Ghana to host Somalia AFCON 2027 qualifier in Sekondi

    Ghana will host Somalia in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Sekondi Sports Stadium on November 12, 2026, pending CAF temporary approval. The stadium has undergone partial renovations but must complete additional work on dressing rooms, drainage, CCTV, media facilities, and crowd management systems to meet full CAF licensing standards.

    4 November 2026 · Joy Online →

  4. GFA President requests tax exemptions for national team imports

    Kurt Okraku has asked government to grant tax exemptions on items imported for Ghana's national football teams, citing financial burden on the GFA. He also criticized the 17.5% Value Added Tax charged on football tickets, arguing other entertainment sectors pay lower rates.

    4 November 2026 · Joy Online →

  5. Ghana's 20 national teams share one broken bus from 2008

    GFA President Kurt Okraku told Parliament that all 20 national teams rely on a single bus purchased in 2008, now out of service. The association had to rent a replacement during the recent international window, citing the shortage as a fundamental obstacle to building a sustainable football ecosystem.

    4 November 2026 · Joy Online →

  6. GFA President urges government investment in Ghana football development

    Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku told Parliament's Sports Select Committee that the country's football decline requires government investment beyond the GFA's efforts, citing lack of infrastructure, grassroots investment, coach education, and facilities as critical gaps.

    4 November 2026 · Joy Online →

  7. Black Maidens reach quarter-finals at U-17 World Cup

    Ghana's Black Maidens returned home after reaching the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco, beating Argentina 5-4 on penalties in the Round of 16 before losing 1-0 to Japan. GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku visited the team to congratulate them on their performance and pledge continued support for women's youth football.

    4 November 2026 · Daily Guide →

  8. Black Maidens reach World Cup quarter-finals, return home

    Ghana's Black Maidens finished among the top eight teams at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco, exiting in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 loss to Japan after advancing from the Round of 16 with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Argentina. FA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku congratulated the team for their discipline and representing the nation with distinction.

    4 November 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Tuesday 3 November

  1. GFA president, Gold Fields visit Black Challenge before World Cup

    Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku and Gold Fields Ghana Limited officials visited the national amputee team, the Black Challenge, on November 3, 2026, to boost morale ahead of the 2026 WAFF Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico. Gold Fields pledged US$500,000 over two years to support the team's participation in the tournament and post-tournament training.

    3 November 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

  2. Ghana seeks alternative venue for Somalia AFCON qualifier

    Ghana's scheduled Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier against Somalia at Accra Sports Stadium is in doubt after CAF's inspection found advanced deterioration in metallic structures and poor crowd management mechanisms at the facility.

    3 November 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Black Maidens finish quarter-finals at FIFA U-17 World Cup

    Ghana's Black Maidens returned home after the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco, reaching the quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to Japan. The team advanced from the Round of 16 with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Argentina and finished among the top eight teams in the world.

    3 November 2026 · Joy Online →

  4. Gold Fields commits US$500,000 to Black Challenge World Cup campaign

    Gold Fields Ghana Limited met with Ghana's amputee national football team, the Black Challenge, to pledge US$500,000 support over two years ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico. The commitment forms part of a broader US$5 million sponsorship agreement with the Ghana Football Association.

    3 November 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 2 November

  1. FIFA to build two astro turf pitches at Ghanaman Soccer Centre

    The Ghana Football Association has secured FIFA's commitment to construct two world-class astro turf pitches at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram following a meeting between GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku and the FIFA Development Committee in Rabat, Morocco. One pitch will include high-level floodlighting for night training and matches, while the other will have no floodlights; once complete, the centre will have four astro turf pitches alongside two natural grass pitches nearing completion.

    2 November 2026 · Daily Guide →

Saturday 31 October

  1. Accra Hearts of Oak leader rules out GFA presidency bid

    Vincent Sowah Odotei, Interim Management Committee Lead Administrator of Accra Hearts of Oak, says he has no interest in contesting for the Ghana Football Association presidency at the moment, although he expressed concern about the state of Ghana football. Kurt Okraku's current tenure as GFA President is expected to end in October 2027, when the next presidential elections are scheduled.

    31 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 29 October

  1. GFA activates $500,000 GoldFields funding for amputee football team

    The Ghana Football Association has activated $500,000 from its GoldFields sponsorship agreement to support the Black Challenge, Ghana's National Amputee Football Team, as preparations intensify for the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup. The funding will cover accommodation, feeding, flights and allowances.

    29 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. GFA distributes 3,000 footballs to Colts clubs nationwide

    The Ghana Football Association has distributed 3,000 footballs to Colts clubs across all ten Regional Football Associations, fulfilling President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku's pledge of 10 footballs per active Colts club to support grassroots football development ahead of the 2026/27 Regional Colts Football Season.

    29 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Wednesday 28 October

  1. GFA distributes 3,000 footballs to Colts clubs nationwide

    The Ghana Football Association has distributed 3,000 footballs to Colts clubs across all ten Regional Football Associations, with distribution based on the number of active Colts clubs in each region. The move fulfils President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku's pledge of 10 footballs per active Colts club ahead of the 2026/27 Regional Colts Football Season, which begins October 31, 2026.

    28 October 2026 · The Chronicle →

Tuesday 27 October

  1. Asamoah Gyan emerges as GFA presidency contender

    Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has emerged as a possible contender for the Ghana Football Association presidency ahead of next year's elections, with speculation growing over the future leadership following reports that incumbent Kurt Okraku may not seek a third term. The development follows a controversial amendment to GFA statutes that raised the presidential term limit from two to three four-year terms, and comes after Ghana's poor start to 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying and their absence from the 2025 tournament.

    27 October 2026 · Daily Guide →

Friday 23 October

  1. Kwame Sefa Kayi backs Andre Ayew for GFA presidency

    Broadcast journalist Kwame Sefa Kayi has publicly endorsed Andre Ayew, the former Black Stars captain, to become president of the Ghana Football Association, citing the need for a new direction in football leadership. Ayew has not yet publicly declared his intention to run for the position.

    23 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 15 October

  1. Baffoe rules out GFA presidency bid, but leaves door open

    Former Ghana international Anthony Baffoe has said he lacks the "drive" to contest for the Ghana Football Association presidency but has not ruled out an opportunity in the future. The admission comes as pressure mounts on incumbent president Kurt Okraku following the Black Stars' poor performance in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

    15 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 14 October

  1. Ex-GHALCA chairman calls for GFA president Kurt Okraku's resignation

    Former Ghana League Clubs Association chairman Kudjoe Fianoo has demanded that GFA President Kurt Okraku and his Executive Council resign, citing the steady decline of Ghanaian football and the Black Stars' failure to progress beyond group stages in recent Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and qualify for the 2025 edition.

    14 October 2026 · Daily Guide →

Tuesday 13 October

  1. Former GHALCA chief demands GFA leadership resign over poor performance

    Kudjoe Fianoo, former Ghana League Clubs Association chairman, has called for Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku and the entire Executive Council to resign, stating the administration has "failed to perform" since taking office in October 2019. The demand follows Ghana's disappointing start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, including a 4-2 home loss to The Gambia.

    13 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 12 October

  1. Football administrator proposes home-based players for Somalia qualifier

    Kudjoe Fianoo, a veteran Ghanaian football administrator and former GHALCA Chairman, has proposed that the Black Stars consider selecting home-based players for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Somalia, following consecutive defeats against Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia that left Ghana bottom of Group C with zero points.

    12 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Wednesday 7 October

  1. PRO says Kurt's resignation won't fix Black Stars systemic problems

    Swedru All Blacks communications director Nathaniel Obeng dismissed calls for GFA President Kurt Okraku to resign, arguing that the Black Stars' crisis stems from systemic issues rather than individual leadership. Ghana sits bottom of Group C in 2027 AFCON qualifiers after losses to Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia, with the coaching position vacant.

    7 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 6 October

  1. Arhin says GFA chief should not be judged by Black Stars

    Aduana FC General Manager Takyi Arhin has defended GFA president Kurt Okraku against criticism over Ghana's poor AFCON qualifier results, arguing that the performance of the national team should be separated from the GFA's wider responsibilities and that state funding is a shared issue.

    6 October 2026 · Daily Guide →

  2. Government must invest in football to influence GFA decisions

    Former Asante Kotoko official Dr Kwame Baah-Nuakoh has pushed back against calls for GFA president Kurt Okraku's resignation and the dissolution of the Ghana Football Association, arguing that the government cannot expect influence over football governance without investing in the game. Okraku has faced scrutiny following poor performances by the Black Stars, including a 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

    6 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Clubs fear speaking against GFA due to relegation threats

    King Faisal bankroller Alhaji Grunsah claims many domestic clubs are scared to criticize the Ghana Football Association over mismanagement due to fear of intimidation and relegation, naming Kotoko and Hearts Oak as examples. He called on GFA leadership under Kurt Okraku to resign before Ghana's next match, arguing poor management has affected player selection and the national teams.

    6 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  4. Black Starlets sent by bus for WAFU tournament, draws criticism

    Ghana's Black Starlets (Under-17 team) are traveling by bus from Prampram to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso for a WAFU Zone B tournament in October, a decision criticized by a former NSA Board Chair as inappropriate given the 960km distance and security challenges.

    6 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 5 October

  1. 2026 KGL Foundation U-17 Championship launched for youth talent

    The 2026 KGL Foundation U-17 Inter-Regional Colts Championship has been officially launched, designed to identify and develop young talents for Ghana's national U-17 side while providing a competitive platform for players from Regional Colts competitions across the country.

    5 October 2026 · Daily Guide →

Kurt Okraku — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute