Delegates of Ghana Football Association has voted Kurt Edwin Simon Okraku as the new president of the FA after almost a year of normalization period.
The election held on Friday, October 25 at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Ridge, Accra, saw the federation elect a new president in thirteen years.
Kurt takes over from Kwesi Nyantakyi who served from 2006-2018.
Kurt started football administration at a very young age when he formed Shooting Stars FC, a colts club at Achimota at the age of 17.
The newly elected president of the federation has spent most of his career in football and had the love for the beautiful game and at some point was a sports journalist at the tertiary level.
From 2006 till date is the period that Kurt Okraku has been known for as a football administrator, though he had been in the system for some time.
He came to the lame light when he was employed as the Communications and Marketing Director for one of the biggest clubs in the league, Accra Hearts of Oak from 2006-2007.
The FA president-elect went on to serve as Administrative Manager for the Ghana League Clubs Association from 2008-2010 and along the line formed his own club, Dreams FC in 2009.
Since 2011, he has been the Chief Executive Officer for Dreams. He, however, became a member of the MTN FA Cup committee, member of GFA executive committee, vice chairman and eventually chairman of the MTN FA Cup committee and chairman of the Black Stars B committee all in eight years- 2010-2018.
ALSO READ : Akufo-Addo purposely killed Dr. Ndoum’s presidential ambition – Isaac Adongo
He also has a Masters in Business Administration in Football Management from the prestigious University of Liverpool.
EDUCATION / TRAINING
2006 – Hospitality and Tourism Management – Manchester Trinity College, UK
2005 – MBA (Football Management) – University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
2004 – Microsoft Certified System Engineering – Tech Connect, Manchester,
UK
2003 – First Aid Course for First Aider – Manchester, UK
2001 – Advanced Certificate in Marketing – Emile Wool Colleges, London, UK
2000 – Diploma in Journalism – Ghana Institute of Journalism, Ghana
1997 – Bachelor of Arts Degree – University of Ghana, Ghana.
1997 – Certificate of Attendance: Price Water House Associates Course in contracting out and privatization for Ghana Civil Services, Ghana
HIGHLIGHTS OF FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE & ADMINISTRATION
2018: Chairman, Local Black Stars Committee
2017-2018: Chairman, MTN FA Cup Committee
2016-2017: Vice Chairman, MTN FA Cup Committee
2015–2018: Member, GFA Executive Committee
2010-2016: Member, MTN FA Cup Committee
2011-to date: Executive Chairman, Dreams Football Club & its feeder clubs
Still, Believe FC – 2nd division club,
In God We Trust SC – colts club,
Dreams Tamale FC – 2nd division club
2011: General Manager, Wassaman FC
2009: Formed Dreams Football Club
2008-2010: Administrative Manager, Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA)
2006–2007: Communications and Marketing Director, Accra Hearts of Oak SC
2004-2009: Director, Proton Marketing and Management Service, UK Consultant
2003-2007: Consultant, Jehovah Nisi International Soccer Promotions, Israel
2001-2005: Consultant, All Sports Management Consult, Manchester
1999-2000: Deputy Sports Editor, Network Broadcasting Ltd (Radio Gold)
1998-19999: Sports Editor, Groove FM, Accra
1997-1998: Public Relations Department, Ministry of Youth & Sports (Ghana)
1996-1999: Public Relations Officer, Afienya United FC – Tema, Ghana
1996-1999: Sports Producer/Presenter, Radio Universe 105.7fm
Early Ages: -Director, Jawara Babies Colts Club
– Owner, Shorting Stars FC Colts Club, Achimota, Accra
PUBLICATIONS & CONFERENCES
2005 – How can financing of football clubs in Ghana be improved? Liverpool Management School, University of Liverpool, UK
2005 – Broadcasting Revenue: Has the bubble burst? – Football Industry Group Conference,
Liverpool, UK
2004 – SOCCEREX- “When football meets business”- Annual Participant in
various countries
2004 – GOODMANS – Maximizing IP Rights in football Conference – Surrey,
London, UK.
