Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Ibrahim Saani Daara has criticised the association’s communication strategy, saying President Kurt Okraku is being left to personally respond to almost every crisis facing Ghana football.
Saani Daara said he was disappointed to see Okraku defend himself on radio following criticism from a Member of Parliament, arguing that such issues should be handled by the GFA’s communication team or other officials.
“Every time there’s a crisis, it’s Kurt Okraku on the radio explaining. I was hurt when Kurt was on the radio defending himself against the MP’s statement,” he told Asempa FM.
The former GFA communications chief also urged Okraku to recognise that some issues require a different approach, particularly when they involve comments from MPs.
“I also want to draw the attention of my brother [Kurt Okraku] to the fact that some issues are no-go areas,” he said.
“I say this because the MPs are the lawmakers in this country, and even if they say something that isn’t right, there are people at the FA whose job is to address these concerns.”
Saani Daara believes members of the GFA Executive Council and the association’s communications team should take greater responsibility for defending the organisation and responding to criticism.
He pointed to the administration of former GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi as an example of a period when communication responsibilities were delegated to designated officials.
“The EXCO members are not helping because if it were Kwesi Nyantakyi’s era, the communications staff would be on the radio addressing the issues,” he said.
“The EXCO members seem to have left every job on his shoulders.”
His comments come amid growing scrutiny of the GFA following the Black Stars’ poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Ghana have lost their opening two Group C matches, suffering a 2-0 defeat by Ivory Coast in Bouake before surrendering a two-goal lead in a 4-2 loss to The Gambia in Accra.
The disappointing start to the qualifiers was followed by the departure of head coach Carlos Queiroz, who stepped down from his position after the two defeats.
A five-member committee has since been established to oversee the search for a new head coach, with its report expected to be submitted to the Sports Ministry on Friday, 9 October, before the team reassembles in November to take on Somalia in a doubleheader at the Accra Sports Stadium.
