The country’s football association chief was elected into office exactly a year ago today and AshesGyamera.com chronicles the events leading to his rise to fame
Today marks exactly one year ago that Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku came to power to replace beleaguered Kwesi Nyantakyi who had been handed a life ban from football activities by FIFA.
A night before the elections at the auditorium of College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra, pollsters tipped George Afriyie to record a landslide victory over his opponents but things changed dramatically.
In the first round, Kurt Okraku took a surprising lead with 44 points while delegates ‘favourite’ George Afriyie only had 40. Meanwhile, Nana Yaw Amponsah who is currently the chief executive officer of Asante Kotoko came third and Fred Pappoe picked six votes while Amanda Clinton had zero.
After the second round of the GFA presidential elections Kurt Okraku was still in the lead but could not be crowned winner since he couldn’t beat the 50 per cent plus one vote expected once again despite having an improved figure.
He had additional 15 votes in this round while George Afriyie amassed only three additional votes as compared to the first round.
Kurt Okraku 59 (49.6%)
George Afriyie 43 (36.1 %)
Nana Yaw Amponsah 15 (13.4%)
After this round, a final lap began and a winner, regardless of the number or percentage, was expected to be declared by the Electoral Commission representatives around.
However, few minutes into the voting process, George Afriyie conceded defeat leaving only Okraku as the sole candidate left and members were allowed to vote whether they will accept him as their new president or not and he garnered over 90 per cent of the total votes casted.
It will be recalled that members present at the Congress accepted a motion by Randy Abbey that King Faisal and Great Olympics should be added to the top-flight clubs in order to make it an 18-team league since that will resolve all outstanding legal issues involving Ghana FA.
From the editorial desk of AshesGyamera.com, we say Ayekoo to Kurt Okraku and his administration.
