The President of The Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr Patrice Motsepe, Former President of the Sierra Leone Football Association Isha Johansen and FIFA Executive Council Member Amaju Pinnick have separately shared their warm congratulatory messages to the re-elected President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku.
In a statement released by the Ghana Football Association, Mr. Motsepe said his massive win in the elective congress is a testament to ‘trust and confidence’ in his past leadership.
“You have done excellent work to promote and develop football in Ghana and on the African Continent. I wish you everything of the best during the new period of your leadership and look forward to seeing you again,’’ he said.
Also, FIFA Executive Council Member and former Nigerian Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick held praises for the re-elected GFA president’s leadership qualities whilst also congratulating him on his re-election as head of Ghana’s football governing body.
“I have received a report from my team on the ground in Ghana, and they have said everything went smoothly.” President Pinnick remarked.
“We want to congratulate Kurt for this election, and the massive show of support during the congress shows the widespread endorsement of his work. We are highly impressed by the job he has done in reviving Ghana football in this short time, in the face of global problems like the absence of football for the two years that COVID affected the world and our game.”
Meanwhile, former President of the Sierra Leone Football Association and FIFA Executive Council Member Isha Johansen has also reached out with a hearty congratulations to President Simeon-Okraku.
‘’Warm and hearty congratulations to you my dear brother and colleague. May you continue to lead and be guided in wisdom by the Almighty. Congratulations once again dear Kurt.’’
Prior to the congress, Kurt ran as an unopposed candidate and successfully retained his role as the GFA president during the elections in Tamale in the Northern Region on October 5, 2023 at the Global Dream Hotel.
Despite facing legal challenges, including threats from disqualified presidential aspirant George Afriyie, the elections proceeded as scheduled and as a result, the incumbent president garnered 117 votes from the one hundred and twenty (120) delegates which implies that only two of the delegates voted against his election while one abstained from this activity.
However, the former FA Vice President, Mr. George Afriyie appealed the decision of his disqualification by the vetting committee of the FA on September 8, 2023, but it was upheld by the Appeals Committee.
The Committee in its ruling on September 15, 2023, said its decision followed a thorough review of Afriyie’s appeal against his disqualification.
Afriyie then applied for an injunction over the GFA presidential elections and appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
This, however, did not prevent the FA from continuing with the elections.
Former Black Stars Coach and Technical Director of Asante Kotoko, Kwesi Appiah joins the likes of Fredrick Acheampong, Randy Abbey, Kingsley Osei Bonsu and Oduro Sarfo as members of Exco for the next Ghana Football Association administration.
On Friday, October 6, 2023, President Simeon-Okraku joined the Muslim community in Tamale to express his appreciation to God and to thank the people of Tamale for their support following his re-election as President of the Ghana Football Association for another four years.
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Story by: Asack Pius | univers.ug.edu.gh
