Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has made a bold statement, calling on Ghanaians to hold him accountable when football-related issues arise—but to refrain from labelling him a “thief.”
His comments come amid increasing public scrutiny and accusations surrounding football administration in Ghana.
In an interview on GHOne TV, the GFA president acknowledged the frustrations of football fans but strongly emphasised the importance of constructive criticism over personal attacks.
He stated that he is open to fair criticism about his leadership and the state of football in Ghana, adding that he will not accept personal attacks or lies that damage his reputation.
“You can criticise me if things go wrong in football, that is fine. But don’t insult me or call me names like ‘thief’ if I’ve done nothing wrong. That is defamation, and I will not take it lightly,” he said.
He added: “When I’m asked these questions, sometimes I try to joke or stay calm. But honestly, if I’m not a thief and you call me a thief, then we will have problems.
“But every Black Stars player has a Ghanaian account. If you insult me, okay. But if you defame me, I will not take it lightly. So if I’m not a thief and you’re calling me a thief, then we will have problems.”
Kurt Okraku has been at the forefront of various reforms in Ghana football, including restructuring the Ghana Premier League and implementing youth development programs.
Despite these efforts, public dissatisfaction has grown over alleged mismanagement, inconsistent league performances, and the Black Stars’ failure to meet expectations in major tournaments.
Join GFA President Kurt Okraku tomorrow night as he discusses the challenges, achievements, and future of Ghanaian football…#GHOneNews #EIBNetwork#GHOneTV #NewsAlert#EIBSports @MonicaBukari_MB @joelacheampong7 pic.twitter.com/rdv1lbO19r
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) May 22, 2025
