President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has delivered an emotional tribute to FIFA President Gianni Infantino as he marks 10 years in office, describing him not just as a leader but as a “brother” to Ghana football.
In a heartfelt anniversary message, Okraku praised Infantino’s personal commitment to Ghana and the wider African game, highlighting the tangible impact of FIFA’s support on infrastructure and development projects across the country.
“So a lot of people call you President. I prefer to call you brother because you're a true, true human being,” Okraku said.
“You're a brother who cares, a brother who shares your exciting moments with us, a brother who is concerned about our problems, somebody who is truly, truly special to the Ghanaian game.”
The GFA President credited Infantino’s leadership for significant progress made in Ghana football over the past decade, particularly at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
“Under your leadership, Ghanaian football has made lots of successes. We've relied heavily on your support for all the investments that we have made at our Technical Center in Prampram. We are so grateful.”
He detailed the transformation of the facility, noting that it is gradually becoming the vision the Association set out to achieve.
“Prampram is gradually turning out to what we want it to be. And here, when I speak about Prampram, it's our Soccer Centre of Excellence in Ghana.
Construction of new pitches, renovation of the facility, construction of external wall, the gym facility, I think that it's been an amazing story for us.”
Beyond Prampram, Okraku highlighted FIFA’s approval and backing for the construction of the first-ever FIFA-standard Astroturf pitch in Ghana’s Upper East Region - a project he says is already changing lives.
“Besides this, you gave us approval and we invested heavily in the construction of the first ever FIFA Astroturf in the Upper East Region of Ghana, for which reason the young boys and girls in that entire region are now realizing their dreams and pursuing their aspirations.
But for the support that you offered us, we are very much grateful for this.”
Okraku expressed appreciation on behalf of the entire Ghanaian football fraternity, while also offering prayers and best wishes for Infantino’s continued leadership.
“On behalf of everybody, every lover of football, we are so much grateful. We wish you a happy anniversary.
We appreciate you a lot as a brother and as a leader. And in the years ahead of us, we pray for God's guidance and mercy upon your life.”
Looking ahead, the GFA President reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to standing alongside FIFA as it continues to shape the future of the global game.
“We're looking forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with you to preach your gospel - the gospel that you've been constructing over the last 10 years, the gospel that you intend to preach to the world in the next few years ahead of all of us in Association Football.
So again, on behalf of everybody in the Ghanaian game, on behalf of the Executive Committee, we wish you a happy anniversary. We are grateful for the support and we're looking forward to sharing our good times with you.”
Infantino, who took office in 2016, has overseen expanded development funding and infrastructure investment through FIFA programmes, with Ghana among the Member Associations that have benefited significantly from the global body’s support.
Send your news stories to [email protected] and via WhatsApp on +233 546310076.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS