President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt E.S. Okraku, has dismissed widespread allegations of receiving monies from Government of Ghana.
For the past years, the country's football governing body has been accused by Ghanaians, including journalists and ex-footballers, of embezzling money from the government.
The claims often emerge when the Ghanaian national teams underperform in tournaments, and the most recent to be recalled was the demonstration dubbed “Save Ghana Football” staged by a group of media personnel after the Black Stars' group stage exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, the GFA boss denied the allegations and revealed that the football association has no control over finances related to national teams during a Parliamentary Select Committee hearing in Accra on Monday.
"For the record, the government of Ghana doesn’t give GFA any money. The Ministry of Youth and Sports funds national team-related activities. No money comes into the GFA’s coffers from the government," Okraku said.
He also clarified that all financial matters, such as qualifying fees and tournament budgets, are handled by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Mr. Okraku further explained that the GFA has no responsibility for these costs, which are overseen by a Ministry accountant.
"Monies used for national teams are paid to the Ministry of Youth and Sports. They make all statutory payments. No cedi comes to the FA," Okraku added.
Okraku's presence before the Parliamentary Select Committee was in response to a petition from the Save Ghana Football organizers, who staged a demonstration in Accra following the Black Stars' early elimination from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Vice President of the GFA, Mark Addo, General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo as well as GFA Executive Council members namely Dr. Randy Abbey and Frederick Acheampong and others were all present at the sitting.
