Everyone is angry after Ghana 2-4 Gambia. People want Kurt Okraku sacked. But here is what the law says:
1. THE GFA IS NOT A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT
Ghana Football Association is a private, limited liability company registered under the Companies Act, and an Association under FIFA Statutes. It is NOT a state agency like the Ghana Health Service.
The law that governs it is:
– FIFA Statutes Article 14(1)(i) and Article 19: Member Associations must be independent and avoid any third-party interference. “Each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties.”
– GFA Statutes 2019 (Article 4 & 33): The GFA President can only be elected and removed by the GFA Congress (the 124 delegates). Not by the Sports Minister, not by the President of Ghana, not by Parliament.
– Ghana Sports Act 2016 (Act 934) Section 2-3: The National Sports Authority (NSA) regulates sports associations, but Section 15 explicitly respects the autonomy of football under FIFA rules.
What This Means: If the government, by letter or press conference, sacks the GFA President, FIFA will immediately ban Ghana — just like they banned Ghana in 2018 after the Number 12 exposé when the government dissolved the GFA. FIFA called it “government interference”, and we were suspended until the Normalisation Committee.
2. SO HOW CAN A GFA PRESIDENT BE REMOVED LEGALLY?
There are only 3 legal ways:
a) Through GFA Congress (Article 33 of GFA Statutes): 2/3 of Congress can pass a vote of no confidence and remove him. Congress is made up of Premier League clubs, Division One, Women’s League, Referees, Coaches, etc. Not fans, not government.
b) Through GFA Ethics Committee / Court: If found guilty of corruption or mismanagement. Then FIFA can sanction. But there must be due process.
c) Through Election: His term ends in 2027. Members can vote him out. That is the democratic way under FIFA law.
3. WHAT CAN GOVERNMENT DO THEN?
Government is not powerless, but it cannot sack. It can:
– Use the Power of the Purse: Government funds the Black Stars (travel, bonuses). Act 934 Section 10 says the NSA can set conditions for accountability when public money is used. Government can demand an audit of Black Stars’ budget.
– Petition NSA and Parliament:* The Sports Ministry can refer GFA to the Parliamentary Committee on Youth and Sports for inquiry — but inquiry, not dismissal.
– Engage Congress Members: Government can talk to club owners who are voters in GFA Congress to push for reforms.
– Strengthen Juvenile & Colts Football: Government controls NSA parks and colts. If GFA fails, NSA can invest directly in grassroots, which will pressure GFA.
HONEST SUBMISSION TO THE PEOPLE:
“We all feel the pain — Ghana lost at home 2-4 to Gambia, a country of 2.7 million, while we have 34 million. Our anger is justified. We missed AFCON 2025; we are at the bottom of Group C with 0 points after losing to Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia.
“BUT if the President of Ghana sacks the GFA President today, FIFA will ban Ghana tomorrow. Then there will be NO Black Stars, NO Black Queens, NO U20, NO Ghana Premier League in Africa. We have seen this before in 2018.
“The law says football belongs to its members — the 124 delegates. If we want change, pressure the clubs, pressure the delegates, demand financial audits, and vote in 2027. Don’t ask government to do what will get us banned. Ask government to demand accountability for public money spent on the Black Stars.”
Bottom Line: Government can REGULATE and FUND and AUDIT. Government cannot APPOINT or SACK. That’s FIFA law, and Ghana signed up to it.
