"This is a decision to take our football two or five notches higher than where we are," he called it.

All the microphones. All the cameras. A gaggle of journalists squeezed closer, desperate to capture the words of Ghana’s newly elected Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku, barely an hour after his victory.

It was October 25, 2019, at Talal Fatal’s house. A victory party had just begun. Kurt, draped in the Ghana flag, stood flanked by core members of his ‘Game Changing’ team — Michael Osekere to his left, the late Michael Attor to his right, and Derick Okraku among others just behind him.

His first words as GFA President were firm and deliberate. He spoke for nine minutes and 25 seconds, conveying pride, determination, and a deep understanding of the task ahead.

His vision was clear: ignite passion, create wealth, and make Ghana football a target of envy. In that moment, Kurt Okraku sounded like a man armed with a forensic understanding of the broken industry he was walking into. Ghana football, battered and bruised by the seismic fallout of the Anas exposé, was in the Intensive Care Unit, barely breathing.

Yet, Kurt believed in possibilities. "Before one would declare an interest in something, you have to analyse the situation in which the industry finds itself and what possibilities exist for a good future," he said thoughtfully.

Fast forward almost six years, and the story of Kurt Okraku’s reign is one that inspires both admiration and disappointment in equal measure. There is no uniform verdict.

Depending on who you ask, his era is either a time of bold rebuilding or a missed opportunity weighed down by avoidable failures.

There is no denying his tangible achievements. The revamping of the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, with the construction of new pitches and an upgrade of accommodation facilities, stands out as a significant investment in the future.

A new 40-bed facility now graces Prampram, providing improved infrastructure for national teams’ development. His leadership also saw Ghana qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, a feat that lifted the spirit of the nation despite subsequent disappointments.

The purchase of pick-up vehicles for RFAs, and the successful campaigns of the U-20 national team — winning both the WAFU and African Youth Championships in 2021 — speak to an administration that has tried to build from the ground up after Number 12.

Financial incentives, grassroots programmes, and attempts to modernise Ghana’s football structures have been evident.

And yet, the shadows linger heavily.

Ghana's back-to-back exits at the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations under Kurt’s watch left many football lovers heartbroken. Worse still was the unthinkable — the Black Stars’ failure to even qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a crushing blow to a nation that once considered itself a continental powerhouse.

There were moments of tragedy too, such as the killing of Asante Kotoko fan, Nana Yaw Francis Frimpong during a league match, which called into question the safety standards and the environment fostered under his leadership. The FA has since introduced enhanced Matchday Safety Protocols.

The local league continued to struggle with poor television broadcast quality, an issue that alienated fans and diminished the product’s value. Scandals, such as the CAF ban on Ghana's U-17 female national team for age cheating, further blemished the administration’s credibility.

Kurt Okraku’s tenure has been a cocktail of hope and heartbreak — a reminder that leadership in football is rarely black and white.

Today, as he rises to the position of 2nd Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Ghanaian football stands at another crossroads. His appointment by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe is not merely a personal triumph; it is a moment that reasserts Ghana’s voice in continental football politics after years in the shadows.

At a time when access, influence, and networking are as critical as skill on the pitch, Ghana now has a seat at the most important table in African football governance.

The opportunity to secure developmental projects, funding, improved infrastructural support, and hosting rights for major tournaments has suddenly widened.

With Kurt in the upper echelons of CAF, the doors for Ghanaian referees, administrators, and players to climb continental ladders have been thrown open once again.

This is not unprecedented. Kwesi Nyantakyi once played this role to perfection, helping many Ghanaians find their feet in the corridors of African and global football. With Kurt's elevation, history could repeat itself — if wielded wisely.

There is also the softer power dynamic at play. African football today thrives on diplomacy, coalition-building, and strategic alliances. With Okraku in CAF’s leadership, Ghana has the chance to build bridges, shape policies, and influence the future of competitions like the Africa Cup of Nations and the CAF Champions League.

Yet, back home, Kurt’s new position does not wipe away the disillusionment among some Ghanaian football fans. The criticism remains loud. Many expect tangible improvements, not symbolic victories. There will be more scrutiny now, not less. Kurt Okraku must now juggle continental ambitions with domestic responsibilities — a delicate balancing act few have managed successfully.

Still, in this moment, there is cause for national pride. Ghana’s footprint on the African football map has deepened once more. Kurt’s journey is a testament to resilience, strategy, and ambition — but it is also a reminder that true greatness will be measured not just by positions attained, but by lasting transformations made.

As Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku steps onto this bigger stage, an entire football-loving nation will watch, hope, and wait. Ghana dreams of reclaiming its place at the summit of African football, and once again, the ball is at Kurt’s feet.

Mr Okraku, good luck!