Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi has disclosed that he initially supported Wilfred Osei Kweku Palmer in the race for the GFA presidency in 2019. Speaking to the media, Nyantakyi shared details about the controversial election and his eventual role in Kurt Okraku’s triumph.
Osei Palmer, owner of Tema Youth FC and a strong contender for the GFA presidency, was widely regarded as one of the frontrunners. However, his campaign was derailed when the Elections Committee of the Normalization Committee disqualified him weeks before the polls. The decision was based on allegations that he failed the integrity test during vetting and had not remitted a required percentage of proceeds to the GFA from a player transfer.
“I was sad when Osei Palmer was disqualified by the Elections Committee,” Nyantakyi admitted. “I believed he had the potential to lead Ghana football effectively.”
Despite his initial preference for Osei Palmer, Nyantakyi revealed that Kurt Okraku, who eventually won the election, sought his support. The night before the polls, Okraku reached out to Nyantakyi, requesting his help in securing votes from delegates.
“Kurt Okraku called me the night before the elections and asked for my support. I agreed to help him and invited the delegates to my house for a meeting. Out of the 123 delegates, about 60 came to my house that night. I spoke to them, and they agreed to vote for Kurt Okraku,” Nyantakyi recounted.
Nyantakyi clarified that his assistance was not motivated by financial incentives. “Kurt Okraku did not give me any money, and no one approached me with offers before the elections. My decision to support him was simply to ensure stability and progress in Ghana football.”
Kurt Okraku went on to win the election and is now serving his second term as GFA president. His tenure has seen significant efforts to improve the administration of football in Ghana, though challenges remain.
Nyantakyi’s revelations highlight the complexities and power dynamics of the GFA elections, offering insight into the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that shaped the leadership of Ghanaian football.
