GFA President, Otto Addo Must Resign.

I recently read the back page of the Thursday, October 17, 2024 edition of the Daily Guide newspaper, featuring the caption “Don’t Sack Otto Addo,” attributed to Mr. George Afriyie, former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Mr. Afriyie shared his thoughts on Accra-based Asempa FM following Ghana’s shocking loss to Sudan in the 2025 AFCON qualifier played in Libya.

As a democrat, I respect Mr. Afriyie’s opinion, but I strongly disagree with his reasoning.

He suggests that Ghanaians should keep faith with Otto Addo, allowing him to continue the process he has started, particularly with the World Cup qualifiers in sight.

Mr. Afriyie also urges Ghanaians to accept that the country is likely out of contention for the 2025 AFCON but should still support Otto Addo in his decision-making and learning process.

I question Mr. Afriyie’s satisfaction with Otto Addo’s performance, considering his two stints with the Black Stars in 2022 and 2024. Why should the Black Stars’ job be a platform for coaching experience?

Most Ghanaians and football enthusiasts share my concerns: consistency at the team’s bench is crucial, but consistent poor performances demand change.

Otto Addo’s performance on and off the field has been underwhelming. His employers at the GFA have done Ghana a disservice.

It, therefore, defies logic for Ghanaians to hope for Black Stars’ World Cup qualification while struggling against lesser teams like Angola, Niger, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and Madagascar.

Allowing Otto Addo and the GFA to promise another World Cup slot would be disastrous and costly.

I do not need to revisit our recent abysmal performance under the current GFA leadership. To arrest Ghana football’s decline, Otto Addo and GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku must resign honourably to begin the process of reviving Ghana football. The center cannot hold; things have fallen apart, as Chinua Achebe aptly described.

I would also like to urge stakeholders, including the government and media, to break their silence on Ghana football’s declining standards.

While some individuals may benefit from Ghana’s predicament, it is in the supreme interest of the state that the government, media, and other well-meaning stakeholders cannot remain bystanders.

Their reluctance to take action will not be forgiven by Ghanaians now and in the future.

It’s time for a collective effort to rescue Ghana football.

By Thomas Asem Awuah,
Communication Analyst and Media Practitioner.