Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has called for major reforms in the administration of Ghana football, urging President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the affairs of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The lawmaker made the comments during an appearance on Citi FM’s current affairs programme, Eyewitness News, where he raised concerns about the state of football administration and the use of public resources to support the sport.
According to Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, Ghana’s football administration needs a significant overhaul, particularly in relation to the structure and constitution of the GFA.
“Our football has become an avenue for business for people who call themselves football people. I think the government should step in. We need to reform the GFA Constitution,” he said.
The Manhyia South MP, who is also a member of Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, further questioned the argument that FIFA regulations should prevent Ghana from making changes to its football governance system.
He alleged that the administration of Ghana football had been taken over by a small group of individuals and called for broader stakeholder participation in the running of the game.
“Forget about FIFA. It is only in Ghana that they threaten us with FIFA. Go and check the other associations, it is broader than ours. Ours have been hijacked, it’s been seized by a cabal,” Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah stated, according to Citi Sports.
The MP also called directly on President Mahama to take action, arguing that the government should not continue to provide financial support without addressing concerns surrounding football administration.
“The President should step in. Ghana cannot fund the business of individuals who call themselves football people,” he said.
His comments have generated a response from GFA President Kurt Okraku, who questioned the MP’s understanding of football administration and said he could have contacted the association privately before publicly criticising its work.
Okraku also pointed to football infrastructure and youth development challenges, saying issues such as poor pitches and the cost of accessing facilities deserve attention.
Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has since maintained his position, saying he stands by his earlier comments and believes President Mahama should take steps to help address what he described as serious concerns within Ghana football.
The exchange has added to the ongoing public discussion about the governance, financing and development of football in Ghana, with calls for accountability and reforms now being debated alongside questions about the appropriate relationship between government and the GFA.
