Kurt Okraku, President of the Ghana Football Association, is a viable contender for a CAF vice-presidency seat, as President Patrice Motsepe is under pressure to increase Anglophone representation in African football leadership.
Kurt Okraku’s prospective promotion comes in the aftermath of widespread dissatisfaction among Anglophone federations, which were completely excluded from the recent FIFA Council elections.
With no English-speaking African representative on FIFA’s top governing council, calls for balance in CAF’s executive structure have become stronger.
According to CAF sources, at least two Anglophone presidents will be appointed as vice presidents, with Okraku ranking high on their list of favourites.
Kurt Okraku is a candidate for presiding over the Ghanaian game because to his strong contacts inside the CAF organisation and active participation in recent efforts to enhance Ghanaian football.
The need for Anglophone representation has become a key point of contention, particularly since the retirement of CAF First Vice-President Augustin Senghor.
Senghor’s departure provides Motsepe with an opportunity to restructure his leadership team, including the so-called Francophone domination of African football administration.
Aside from Okraku, Liberia’s Mustapha Raji and Ethiopia’s Isayas Jira Bosho are other possibilities.
However, AfricaSoccer.com insiders believe Okraku’s previous performance and strategic ties in the West African sub-region can be advantageous to him.
As the CAF works to finalise its leadership paradigm, Motsepe’s moves will be closely observed.
Whether Okraku is or is not appointed, the next few days will be key in determining the future of African football leadership power dynamics.
