Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku's leadership legacy is being debated following the Black Stars' 2026 World Cup campaign. A report from GhanaWeb this week examines his tenure since taking charge in October 2019, balancing recent qualification success against persistent domestic problems.

Okraku was re-elected in 2023 and recently joined the CAF Executive Committee for the 2025-2029 period. His time has seen significant highs and lows for Ghanaian football. The Black Stars qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and secured their place at the 2026 tournament. They reached the Round of 32 this summer before a 1-0 defeat to Colombia on July 4 ended their run. The women's team, the Black Queens, returned to the WAFCON and won a historic bronze medal in Morocco in 2024.

What are the major failures under Okraku?

The most glaring setback was Ghana's failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This marked the first time in over two decades the Black Stars missed the tournament. Okraku himself called this the lowest point of his presidency. Youth development has also suffered. The Black Satellites, who won the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 2021, have seen a dramatic decline. The Black Starlets have similarly struggled to maintain Ghana's traditional dominance at the U17 level.

Domestic football remains a significant concern. The Ghana Premier League battles low attendances, limited commercial appeal, and infrastructure issues. Ghanaian clubs continue to face financial and competitive struggles. While the GFA has introduced club licensing initiatives aimed at raising professional standards, the overall match-going experience for fans is still a problem. The current World Cup campaign reflects broader instability, with Ghana third in the group standings on 4 points from 3 games, having scored and conceded 2 goals.

How does the current team form factor in?

The immediate context for this evaluation is Ghana's recent form. The Black Stars have lost their last three matches, including that decisive World Cup knockout game against Colombia. Their recent form across the last five games reads zero wins, two draws, and three losses. The team is also dealing with the absence of winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, who is currently sidelined. You can view the latest player availability on our injuries page. This run of results leaves Ghana three points behind group leaders England in the World Cup table.

What will define Okraku's ultimate legacy?

The real verdict on Kurt Okraku's presidency will be determined by several concrete outcomes. It hinges on whether the Ghana Premier League is stronger when he leaves than when he arrived. Financial sustainability for clubs and the return of supporters to stadiums are key metrics. Success will also be judged on whether Ghana consistently competes for continental trophies again.

Critically, the Black Stars need a clear technical identity instead of constantly changing direction. A properly structured pathway for young players from grassroots to the senior national team is essential. Finally, the GFA itself must become an institution that commands confidence from clubs, players, and supporters. Okraku remains defiant about his record. He told GhanaWeb, "When I’m gone, just like Kwame Nkrumah, people will appreciate."

Where does Ghana go from here?

The focus now shifts to rebuilding and addressing the deep-rooted issues in the domestic game. The GFA's initiatives must translate into tangible improvements for clubs and the league. For the national team, the task is to learn from the World Cup exit and build a more stable project. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our fixtures page. The next phase of Okraku's tenure will be defined by how these longstanding challenges are finally met. Ghana's next competitive fixtures will be important for restoring momentum.