The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has dismissed allegations that the GFA selects players for the national team.
He clarified that the responsibility for player selection lies with the technical team of the Black Stars, led by Coach Otto Addo. Okraku emphasized that any coach who allows external influences in player selection would face dismissal.
Speaking at a public hearing held by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports, which addressed a petition from the “Fix Ghana Group,” Okraku expressed disappointment that the group did not engage with GFA leadership before petitioning Parliament and organizing a demonstration in Accra following the Black Stars’ early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He welcomed the hearing as an opportunity to explain the issues and clarify misconceptions.
The Chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports, Hon. Kobena Mensah Woyome, stated that the hearing aimed to gather the GFA’s perspective before presenting a report to the Speaker of Parliament.
One key issue raised during the session was the payment of $100,000 in bonuses to GFA Management Committee members. In response, Dr. Randy Abbey, a GFA management member, explained that financial matters, including tournament budgets and qualifying fees, are handled by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Abbey noted that GFA management does not receive salaries or allowances for their work and criticized the tendency to hold the GFA accountable only in times of failure, without recognizing their efforts during successes.
Okraku also addressed concerns regarding referee compensation, explaining that referees in Ghana are not full-time employees and often have other jobs.
Payments to referees are made after matches, in line with global practices. He underscored that it is improper for any referee to know match results before officiating, emphasizing the integrity of the sport. Presentations were also made by the Association of Referees and veteran coaches during the session.
