Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has issued a strong message to players regarding commitment to the national team, insisting that only those who show genuine passion and respect for Ghana will be called up for national duty.
Okraku’s remarks is in regard to discussions about the inclusion of players born abroad for the World Cup.
In an exclusive interview with 3Sports, Mr. Okraku emphasized that representing Ghana is a privilege that must be earned through dedication and loyalty to the national cause.
“Players who have not shown enough commitment to the Ghanaian flag will not be part of us,” he stated firmly.
“There must be a good reason why a player is included in the travelling party. I want players who display high levels of dedication, passion, and respect for Ghana.”
He further noted that the technical team and the GFA would prioritize attitude and discipline over reputation or popularity, stressing that professionalism and national pride are non-negotiable qualities for anyone wearing the Black Stars jersey.
“As a leader, I don’t really care what anybody says. At the end of the day, the responsibility lies with me, and I am accountable for Ghana,” he added.
The GFA President also sent a clear message to players who have previously turned down call-ups to the national team.
“If we have approached you before and you turned us down, if you’ve shown a lack of respect or declined to play for Ghana in the past, count yourself out. It’s not going to happen,” he warned.
The GFA President reiterated his vision of building a disciplined, unified, and passionate Black Stars team capable of restoring pride and achieving success on the international stage.