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Biography of new GFA President, Kurt Okraku

It’s a new dawn in Ghana football and the country’s football association finally has a president in the person of Kurt Edwin Simon Okraku. After more than a year of turmoil, the 48-year-old has put himself forward to lead the Ghana Football Association (GFA) into a new era.

Biography of new GFA President, Kurt Okraku

The Dreams FC Executive Chairman beat off competition from five other candidates following a run-off at Friday's Extraordinary Congress in Accra.

After three rounds of voting, Mr. Okraku stood tall, winning with over 96% after going unopposed in the final round following George Afriyie’s concession.

Below, Pulse Sports runs you through a detailed biography of the new GFA President:

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Kurt Okraku has always been a man firmly attached to football, right from his teenage years. He began his official association with football in 1996 when he formed the colts club, Shooting Stars FC.

Before then, he had served as a Director at another colts club named Jawara Babies. His reputation grew further at the turn of the decade, as he ventured into the public relations side of football.

Mr. Okraku was appointed the PRO of Tema-based Afienya United – a role he served diligently before fully launching his journalism career.

By the year 2000, he had finally gotten a foothold on his journalism career and began practicing at various radio stations in Accra.

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By listening to Kurt Okraku speak, it is very easy to notice the blood of a journalist flowing through his veins.

The 48-year-old enrolled at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) in the year 2000, but his media career had already begun before then.

Having had a brief stint as his own colts club, Mr. Okraku took advantage of his time at the University of Ghana (UG) to venture into radio.

He became a sports producer and presenter at the campus-based Radio Universe, which he combined with his role as PRO of Afienya United.

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In 1998, he progressed to become the editor of another Accra-based radio station called Groove FM. From there, he moved to become deputy editor at Radio Gold in Laterbiokorshie, where he served until he travelled to the UK to further his education.

Before then, his exuberance saw him drafted into the Public Relations Department of Ghana’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Kurt Okraku is in many ways an admirable man, and his résumé is one that most people are in awe of. The man is well-schooled and his qualifications definitely played a role in his election as GFA president.

Mr. Oraku holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Ghana, as well as a Diploma in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism.

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In 2001, he also acquired an Advanced Certificate in Marketing at the Emile Wool Colleges, London, UK.

In 2005, he graduated from the University of Liverpool with an MBA in Football Management, before acquiring another degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management at the Manchester Trinity College, also in the UK.

Aside the above, Mr. Okraku is a Microsoft Certified System Engineer, and also completed a First Aid Course for First Aider in Manchester.

Kurt Okraku professionally ventured into football administration in 2001 when he became a consultant at All Sports Management Consult in Manchester.

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He then moved into another consultancy role at Jehovah Nisi International Soccer Promotions in Israel. In 2004, he rose to become a Director at Proton Marketing and Management Service in the UK.

Mr. Okraku finally established himself in football administration in Ghana when he became the Communications and Marketing Director of Accra Hearts of Oak in 2006.

He served in this role for just a year, before making a huge jump to become the Administrative Manager of Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA).

In 2015, he was voted as a member of the GFA Executive Committee, a role he held until his election as FA President. He was also once the General Manager of Division 1 side, Wassaman FC.

He then served as the Vice Chairman of MTN FA Cup Committee for a year, before rising to become the substantive Chairman of the MTN FA Cup Committee.

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In 2018, he was also appointed Chairman of the Local Black Stars Committee.

Kurt Okraku formed Dreams FC in 2009. The club went through all the lower-tiers of Ghana football, before eventually qualifying for the Ghana Premier League in 2015.

In 2016, despite the club being in Division One, Kurt Okraku managed to secure a huge kit sponsorship deal with global sportswear giants Nike.

Dreams FC is regarded by many as the most professional club in Ghana, and is currently the only Ghanaian club with a mascot.

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The club has won the Divisions One and Two Leagues, but its highest placement in the Ghana Premier League remains an 8th-place finish.

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