Former Asante Kotoko Board Chairman Herbert Mensah has asserted that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) leadership, including President Kurt Okraku, must accept accountability for the Black Stars’ performance at the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Mensah, also President of Rugby Africa, emphasized during a Luv FM interview that the GFA officials are public servants answerable to the nation, not serving personal interests.
Call for Public Servant Accountability
Mensah stressed that the decisions made by the GFA leadership have national implications and should be owned by those in charge. He stated, “I’ve always said there are public servants there to serve. They don’t work for Kurt and his team—they work for us, for the taxpayer.” He added that when decisions are made, administrators “must live by those decisions and die by them.”
With the World Cup on the horizon, Mensah highlighted the critical nature of the team’s preparation. This includes the timeline, the activity plan, the psychological readiness of the players, and the effectiveness of the team’s leadership. He believes the management and leadership team of the Black Stars should possess the necessary expertise to guide the team successfully.
Public Scrutiny and Consequences
Mensah anticipates intense public scrutiny, noting that “there will be 30 something million coaches, referees and observers watching every move of the black stars.” He acknowledged that success would bring widespread celebration and commendation for the GFA. However, he firmly stated that failure would necessitate responsibility from the custodians of the national team.
“If they don’t, as some people suspect they don’t, then it is we must continue supporting the black stars, but the custodians of the national team should fall on their sword,” Mensah declared, underscoring the high stakes involved.
Ghana’s Football Pedigree and Recent Performance
Mensah reiterated Ghana’s rich football history, asserting that the nation is expected to consistently perform at the highest international level. He pointed to past successes, such as performance in South Africa, as evidence of the team’s potential.
However, he described the recent failure to advance in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as “unfortunate.” While the World Cup qualification offers a glimmer of optimism, Mensah questioned whether this was the sole focus of the GFA’s strategy, suggesting a potential disconnect in planning.
“Our failure to get through to AFCON was unfortunate. The fact that we’ve gone to the World Cup says maybe we were looking bigger in different things. I don’t think so, but maybe that was the kind of plan in terms of looking to go forward,” he commented.
Implications for the Future
Mensah’s call for accountability signals a growing demand for transparency and effective governance within Ghanaian football. As the Black Stars prepare for the global stage, the performance of the team will inevitably be linked to the leadership and strategic decisions of the GFA. The upcoming World Cup will serve as a critical test, with the nation watching closely to see if the current administration can deliver on its promises and uphold Ghana’s footballing reputation, or if new leadership will be required.
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