Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) presidential candidate George Afriyie has questioned how much of Kurt Okraku’s manifesto commitments on Colts football have been implemented.
Afriyie, who lost to Okraku in the 2019 GFA presidential election, specifically challenged the GFA president to account for the number of game centres established as part of his plans to improve grassroots football.
Okraku’s 2019 “GameChanger” manifesto included a pledge to create game centres with improved pitches and provide 50 footballs per season to support Colts clubs.
“How many game centres has Kurt created?” Afriyie asked in an interview with Sporty FM.
“That is why I told you from the very day I sat here with you, that if Kurt is to go by his own manifesto, if he is to implement the things that he says, if you vote me into power, this is what I’m going to do.”
Afriyie also questioned the GFA’s progress in developing football pitches and making facilities available for Colts football.
He referenced comments attributed to Okraku about using pitches developed by state institutions for grassroots football, describing the proposal as a good idea.
“Brilliant idea, because I said it here,” Afriyie said.
But he challenged Okraku to provide an account of the infrastructure delivered during his time as GFA president.
“But I’m asking Kurt, in seven years, how many pitches have you built? For the centres that you talk about in your manifesto, Colts football, how many have you built?” he said.
Afriyie also pointed to another commitment in Okraku’s manifesto requiring every Ghana Premier League club to be affiliated with and adopt a Colts club to help develop young players.
He acknowledged that the directive had been communicated to Premier League clubs but questioned whether it had resulted in sustained grassroots development.
“I’ve seen it, that kind of message, or that kind of instruction, has been given to the Premier League clubs,” he said.
“But you have to ask yourself, when was the last time you went to see Hearts of Oak or Kotoko having a Colts Club, where it is Kotoko’s duty to develop that Colts Club, nurture them? Is it being done? The answer is no.”
Afriyie said the policy was a strong proposal but stressed that its effectiveness depended on implementation.
Okraku’s 2019 manifesto included plans to revive Colts football, establish a central fund for juvenile and Colts football, provide logistical support to clubs, improve football infrastructure and strengthen grassroots development.
The GFA has since highlighted a number of investments in Colts football, including an annual allocation of US$100,000 for footballs, GHS1.8m spent over two seasons to train 600 Colts coaches, and free registration and digital licences for up to 90 players per Colts club.
The association also launched the 2026/27 Colts season in September, reporting 859 active clubs across Ghana’s 10 football regions while introducing additional competitions and support programmes.
