Kurt Okraku tells Parliament 20 national teams share one 2008 bus

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has revealed that the country's 20 national football teams are currently forced to rely on a single, aging bus purchased in 2008. Appearing before Parliament’s Select Committee on Youth and Sports, Okraku described the dire logistical situation as a significant hurdle to the development of the sport in Ghana. The disclosure highlights a critical infrastructure deficit within the football governing body, affecting teams ranging from the senior men’s Black Stars and the Black Queens to various youth squads.

During his presentation, Okraku explained that the lone vehicle is frequently out of commission due to its age and mechanical wear. This situation has forced the GFA to allocate scarce financial resources to hire replacement buses during international windows to transport players and technical staff. The President emphasized that managing 20 distinct national teams with such limited transportation infrastructure is unsustainable and hinders the professional operations expected of a modern football association.

The GFA President framed this logistical challenge as part of a broader need for increased government investment in the football ecosystem. Amidst public criticism of the association's leadership and the performance of national teams, Okraku argued that building a sustainable and successful football culture requires basic operational support and improved infrastructure. He noted that the reliance on a 16-year-old vehicle illustrates the gap between the nation's footballing ambitions and its current investment levels.

The appeal to the Parliamentary Committee serves as a formal request for state intervention to modernize the association's fleet. As the GFA navigates growing pressure for results on the international stage, the lack of reliable transport remains a visible symbol of the logistical constraints facing the sport. The committee's response to this revelation will likely determine whether the GFA receives the necessary budgetary support to procure new vehicles and streamline the movements of its various national assignments.