The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the Black Stars participate in all major international tournaments.

This follows Ghana’s disappointing failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since 2004, raising concerns about the team’s decline in recent years.

Ghana’s football fortunes have taken a turn for the worse, with the national team struggling to make an impact on the international stage. The Black Stars have failed to progress past the group stages in their last two major tournaments, including the 2021 and 2023 AFCON editions. Additionally, the team has gone winless for the past nine months, a worrying statistic that has left fans frustrated.

The failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 marks a significant low point for Ghanaian football. Since their return to the tournament in 2006, the Black Stars have been consistent contenders, reaching the final in 2010 and 2015. However, the team has been on a downward trajectory in recent years, with disappointing performances leading to their elimination in the group stages of the last two editions.

Poor Management and Leadership Concerns

A considerable portion of the blame for Ghana’s struggles has been attributed to poor team management and the overall handling of football in the country. Critics have pointed fingers at the GFA, questioning its leadership, player selections, and coaching decisions.

Many believe that the lack of a clear football development strategy, coupled with instability in the coaching department, has contributed to the Black Stars’ declining form.

The exclusion of key players in recent squad selections for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has further fueled debates about the team’s direction. Star players like André Ayew, who has been in good form, have been overlooked, while several other regulars, including Tariq Lamptey and Alidu Seidu, have been left out of the squad. These decisions have raised questions about whether the best talents are being selected for national duty.

Despite the challenges, GFA president Kurt Okraku remains determined to restore Ghana’s footballing reputation. Speaking to freelance journalist Alexis Laura Ehiagwina in an exclusive interview with 3Sports, Okraku expressed his disappointment over the team’s absence from AFCON 2025 but remains optimistic about the future.

“I want Ghana to be present at every international meeting. I will never, never be happy that Ghana will not be at the AFCON, but that is the reality of life. I think hard lessons have been learnt by everybody, me included.”

Okraku acknowledged the disappointment of missing out on AFCON but emphasized that this setback should serve as motivation for the team, technical staff, and all stakeholders.

“I’ll go out there to Morocco to watch the tournament, to be part of the group. But obviously, I’ll love Ghana to be there while I’m there. I hope that the players, technical team, and everybody within the space will definitely not be happy that we are not there. That should be a motivation to all of us as far as our responsibility and duties towards national engagements are concerned.”

Road to Redemption: 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

The immediate focus for Ghana now shifts to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where the Black Stars must regain their form and confidence. The team’s recent struggles have heightened the pressure on head coach Otto Addo and his squad to deliver positive results.

Ghana has a history of bouncing back from setbacks, and the upcoming qualifiers offer a chance to turn things around. With Thomas Partey returning to the squad and new talents like goalkeeper Nurudeen Asare earning their first call-up, there is hope that the team can rebuild and put their AFCON disappointment behind them.

While Okraku’s commitment to seeing Ghana at major tournaments is commendable, many believe that words must be backed by action. The GFA must implement long-term strategies to develop local talent, improve coaching standards, and create a more transparent system for player selections.

Football analysts argue that Ghana’s struggles go beyond the pitch, with issues such as poor youth development, inadequate investment in grassroots football, and governance concerns affecting the sport’s progress. Addressing these issues will be crucial in restoring the Black Stars to their former glory.

The failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 is a significant blow to Ghanaian football, but it also presents an opportunity for reflection and rebuilding. Kurt Okraku’s desire to see Ghana participate in all major international tournaments is a step in the right direction, but real progress will require structural changes and strategic planning.