Former National Sports Authority (NSA) Board Chairman Seth Panwum has called on Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku to resign following the Black Stars’ poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Ghana have suffered defeats in both of their opening Group C matches, leaving the four-time African champions without a point and under growing pressure.
The Black Stars began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Côte d’Ivoire last Thursday before suffering an even more damaging loss against The Gambia on Tuesday.
Ghana appeared to be in control after taking a 2-0 lead at the Accra Sports Stadium, but the visitors produced a remarkable comeback to win 4-2 and leave the hosts facing back-to-back defeats.
Panwum described the result against The Gambia as a “significant setback” for a national team whose supporters expect strong performances, particularly on home soil.
“We cannot normalise this,” he told Graphic Sports.
The former NSA board chairman compared Ghana’s current struggles with the Black Stars’ home performances under the previous NPP administration, pointing to their record during the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, including a 1-0 victory over Mali.
He said Ghana was now “witnessing a worrying decline in standard”, while insisting that his criticism was not aimed at individual players or the injuries and suspensions affecting the squad.
According to Panwum, injuries and player unavailability are part of football, and Ghana’s struggles should instead be examined through the quality of management, preparation and tactical execution.
“The difference between Ghana and opponents like Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia is better management, match preparation and tactical output,” he said.
“The Gambia came to Accra and defeated Ghana 4-2. That result should compel every serious football administrator to pause and ask whether the current approach is working.”
Panwum, who also serves as the NPP spokesperson on sports, subsequently called on Okraku to accept responsibility and step down as GFA president.
“As the NPP spokesperson on sports, I am therefore calling on the President of the GFA to take responsibility for the current state of Ghana football and resign from office,” he said.
He added that Okraku’s resignation would “provide an opportunity for a new leadership direction and allow Ghana football to begin a comprehensive process of rebuilding, reform and restoration.”
The consecutive defeats have increased pressure on head coach Carlos Queiroz and his players, with Ghana now needing to recover quickly if they are to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON alive.
The Black Stars will return to action in October with a double-header against Somalia at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghana are seeking to return to the continental tournament after failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, ending their run of more than two decades of consecutive appearances at the competition.
