Manhyia South MP Agyei Baffour Awuah has raised broader concerns about player selection and the state of Ghana football under Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku’s administration, questioning the rationale behind the previous inclusion of Philemon Baffour in the Black Stars.
His comments came after a public exchange with Okraku, who questioned the Member of Parliament’s football knowledge and challenged him to explain what he had done to improve football facilities in his constituency.
Speaking on Luv FM, the lawmaker questioned why the defender was called into the national team, and why he has not returned to the squad.
According to him, Baffour was not playing regularly at the time, but was called into the team.
“There was a time when a certain player, Philemon Baffour, was added to our national team, even though he was not playing. What was the use? What was the plan? Where is Philmon Baffour now?” he asked.
The MP further questioned the consistency of the selection process, arguing that the player’s previous inclusion should be matched by another call-up if he is currently performing at a high level.
“Why hasn’t he been called to the national team again, if he’s really doing well? Because even when he was not doing well and playing any serious football, he was a member of our national team. So, sincerely, if he’s playing, shouldn’t he be in our national team?” he asked.
Philomon Baffour, who was playing for Dreams FC at the time, was included in Ghana’s squads for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and later named in the final squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.
His repeated selection despite limited playing time sparked public debate, with questions raised over his continued inclusion in the national team.
However, several high-ranking football officials, including GFA President Kurt Okraku, defended his selection on multiple occasions, maintaining that the defender had earned his place in the Black Stars squad on merit.
The MP also questioned the extent of GFA President Kurt’s involvement in club football, arguing that the interests of football administrators must be subjected to scrutiny.
He pointed to the availability of football infrastructure in his constituency, while also acknowledging the construction of Astro Turfs under the previous administration.
“Manhyia South thankfully has three Astro Turfs, and under the Nana Addo Dankwa and Dr Bawumia’s government, over 100 Astro Turfs were constructed nationwide,” Awuah said.
He, however, argued that infrastructure alone does not address the wider challenges facing Ghana football, particularly the development and motivation of young players.
“The fact is that there are a lot of players who don’t have the desire or the passion like it was in the past because they can’t play,” he said.
Awuah also challenged Okraku to engage him on the issues he has raised, insisting that his concerns are based on observations he has made over time.
“If Kurt wants us to debate this issue, I’ve observed what is happening for a long time, and I can speak to so many things,” the MP said.
He has consistently maintained that the sport has declined from the standards of previous generations and has called for reforms in its administration.
“Ghana football has collapsed; it’s not doing well. This is not the Ghana football we know,” he said.
