Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku states that the sport has made significant progress over the past six years, despite his leadership beginning during a challenging period.

A significant corruption scandal in 2018 plunged Ghana football into chaos, destabilizing the sport’s administration and forcing the departure of Kwesi Nyantakyi, the GFA President for many years.

The crisis brought domestic football to a standstill. In response, FIFA and the Ghanaian Government established a Normalisation Committee to oversee reforms and prepare for new elections.

The committee managed restructuring and governance until 2019. After that year’s elections, Okraku was elected president as Ghana worked to rebuild trust in its football institutions.

“We took over the sport at a very challenging time. We had lost our president, there were misunderstandings, and we went through a very difficult election period. Just when we thought we would settle, we had COVID for over two years. So it was a very difficult period for the Ghanaian game,” Okraku said in an interview with GFA Media.

He attributes the recovery to unity within the football community.

“As a football family, we have united, we have come together, and we have stayed together over time. The result is that we have successfully energised our football ecosystem and reignited passion in club owners, supporters and players,” he added.

Okraku cited renewed grassroots competitions, organized Colts football, academy growth through FIFA partnerships, and free coaching programs for youth and female coaches as signs of progress. He also noted increased support for Regional Football Associations and improved Premier League visibility.

He acknowledged ongoing challenges but expressed confidence in continued growth.

“This is not to say there are no challenges. But with the unity we have in the industry, our tomorrow will be better than our today,” he said.