Kurt Okraku Road with Ghana Football - Doing Right ! - PART 1

 

Introduction 

 

The infamous Number 12 exposé by Ace Journalists Anas Aremeyaw Anas unwrapped the hidden secrets within the Ghana Football Association. One which many across Ghana opined as a landmark investigative piece to reset the transparency and accountability of Ghana Football in the Country. 

 

Like any other proactive nation with the overwhelming majority of its populace passionate about football, this was a wake up call to restructure all the activities of Ghana Football, gain not only the trust of key stakeholders of the beautiful game, but make it investor friendly. As FIFA, interested in its member Association, it was prudent to establish a Normalization Committee to momentarily stir the affairs within their specified mandate and see to a safe transition to a new leadership. 

In the Financial Sector or Business environment in Ghana, one could readily ascribe to “Administration” provisions in Act 930 and Act 1015 respectively. 

 

Remember, under both provisions under the law, a company in administration does not necessarily means it must be wound up or shut down but rather restructure, a novel provision in Ghana’s current Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring Act, 2020 (Act 1015) (CIRA) rather   than the old law which only soughed liquidation as the only option available when an entity is in distress (Bodies Corporate Official Liquidations Act, 1963 (Act 180)). Similarly to the role of the Normalization Committee, their appointment by FIFA with a clear mandate to assist in the regulatory framework of the Ghana Football Association and making necessary recommendations thereof. 

“FIFA Council decided on 27 August 2018 to appoint a normalization committee for the GFA. The suspension of the GFA will consequently not take effect” FIFA.com. The mandate was intended to end on March 31, 2019. 

 

 The Road Map of NC 

 

“The road map which details the program for the review of the new Ghana FA statutes, election of Constituent bodies, election of a new GFA Board Chairman, playing of a special commemorative match, dubbed Normalization Committee Super Cup, and a Presidential Cup.” Ghana Web. 

 

Handover to Kurt Administration 

 With several calls by sessions of the Ghanaian media, advocating for transition of powers from the NC to the next administration, others also were unperturbed with the NC continuing its mandate to host selected football activities. 

 

 Before the NC handed over powers to the Kurt administration there were keenly contested elections. “This forced the voting exercise into a run-off, which was contested by Kurt Okraku, George Afriyie and Nana Yaw Amponsah after Fred Pappoe pulled out.

Mr. Okraku polled 44 votes in the first round and went on to poll 59 votes from the total votes cast in the second round, forcing George Afriyie, who polled just 43 votes, to concede defeat.” pulse.com.gh 

 

Charged atmosphere, tensed aspirants, suspense at the College of Physicians and Surgeons auditorium, delegates knew the candidate to vote for out of the six (6) equally competent candidates who mounted the podium in turns to share their clear cut vision and objectives for Ghana Football.

 

Mr. Okraku's overwhelming support after the third round polled 93 votes to emerge winner in the GFA Presidential elections.

 

The New GFA - #BringBackTheLove 

 Kurt’s campaign to bring back the love of Ghana Football kicked shortly as he assumed office. With several hashtags and visitation to key stakeholders, the new administration pledged to develop Ghana Football and make it more attractive. 

 

COVID19 to Ghana Football 

 The impact of COVID19 pandemic adversely affected not only Ghana football but the entire sports industry. With some unable to raise funds from proceeds from stadium fees, unpaid player salaries, review from brands sponsorships among others seemed shuttered. FIFA gave some reliefs to its member Associations which Kurt’s administration was no exception. 

“A tranche payment of the FIFA COVID-19 Relief Fund of US$500,000 which has arrived will benefit Premier League clubs, Division One League clubs, Regional football clubs and all other stakeholders. Another US$500,000 which has been specified for Women's football has also been received” Ghanasoccernet.com

 

The allocation of the FIFA Funds were as follows:

“..each of the 48 Division One League clubs was entitled to Seven Thousand Five Hundred dollars (US$7,500), but the Council has now increased the amount to Eight Thousand dollars (US$8,000), following an addition of One Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand dollars (US$144,000). Thus, the sum added on to the Two Hundred and Forty Thousand, Four Hundred dollars that was earlier announced, raising the quantum to Three Hundred and Eighty-four Thousand dollars ($384,000) for the second-tier clubs.” ghanafa.com

 

“On the same score, the Seventy-two Women’s Division One League clubs across the country will now receive One Thousand and Five Hundred dollars ($1,500) each instead of the Eight Hundred and Twenty-one dollars (US$821) earlier announced. The quantum has therefore been adjusted from Sixty Thousand Dollars (US$60,000) to One Hundred and Nine Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars (US$109,500) as earlier communicated.” ghanafa.com 

 

 Loan Deduction - COVID19? 

 

According to Ghanafa.com, the Executive Council waived fifty percent (50%) of the remaining loan amount of GHc25, 000 owed by each of the Premier League clubs to the GFA.

“GFA loaned each Premier League club an amount of GHc50, 000 before the commencement of the 2019-2020 season.”ghanafa.com 

“At the start of Covid-19 pandemic, the GFA waived half of the loan amounting GHc25, 000 as GFA Covid-19 Relief to the Premier League clubs.”Ghanafa.com 

“Thus, upon this second waiver, each Premier league club now owes the GFA only GH12, 500 of the outstanding loan.” Ghanafa.com 

“This loan amount will be deducted from any sponsorship amount received in relation to the Premier League.” ghanafa.com.

 

Stakeholders Consultation - Approval of emoluments 

 

“GFA Congress approves ¢12k monthly allowance for Kurt Okraku, ¢4k for ExCo” Joyonline.,com 

 

Like most well managed organizations, the Annual General Meeting (AGM)was the best moment to not only capture in full report the statement of affairs of the entity, the financial statements, key legal issues if any and also where necessary dividends can be declared. The AGM also offers a platform to fix not only the Directors fee but also the Auditors as well. 

 

In the case of Kurt’s administration, Congress approved the following emoluments. 

 

“The three-man committee that had Delali Senaye (CEO of Inter Allies) and Sampson Nartey-Yoe (Financial consultant and lecturer) as members proposed that President Kurt Okraku be given a monthly salary of ¢12,000, Vice President ¢7,000 Mark Addo and ¢4,000 each for the rest of the Executive Council (ExCo).” myJoyonline.com 

 

New MoU’s - Way Forward 

 Following the continuous stakeholders meeting to ensure football resumes, needed the Presidential Order under the Executive instruments allowing contact sports to resume. 

 

To be continued....