GFA boss Kurt Okraku questions focus on Black Stars budget amid transparency debate

Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has responded to growing public calls for the disclosure of the Black Stars budget, insisting he has no objection to transparency but questioning why football is being singled out.

The debate has gained momentum because the senior national team is supported by government funding. Since taking office, Minister of Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams has made it a practice to publicly outline the team’s budgets ahead of matches, a move that has reportedly not sat well with some officials within the football governing body.

"I don’t have any problem with making the Black Stars budget public. But why are we not asking every sector to also make their budgets public, and why only Black Stars? Why create confusion where there’s no need for confusion? The GFA is a private entity," Okraku said in an interview with Asaase Radio.

The GFA president argued that while accountability is important, conversations around transparency should apply across all sectors that receive public funds rather than focusing solely on football.

The issue of Black Stars expenditure has frequently surfaced during major tournaments, with sections of the public demanding clarity on how resources are utilised. Okraku maintains that the association continues to operate within recognised financial and administrative structures while supporting national team activities and development programmes.

Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana has earmarked 150 million Ghana cedis, approximately 13.7 million U.S. dollars, for preparations towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Black Stars are set to face Panama, England and Croatia in the group stage.

By Enoch Fiifi Forson

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