Kurt Okraku petitions Parliament for tax exemptions on sports equipment

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has petitioned the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports to address critical financial and logistical barriers hindering the development of the national game. During a session on November 4, 2026, Simeon-Okraku detailed the association's struggle to maintain 20 national teams under heavy tax burdens and regulatory restrictions. He emphasized that the GFA's efforts alone are insufficient to sustain success without significant government intervention in infrastructure and policy reform.

Central to the GFA's appeal is the removal of the 17.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) currently levied on football match tickets. Simeon-Okraku argued that this tax creates a financial imbalance, noting that other entertainment sectors do not face similar charges. Furthermore, he requested tax exemptions for the importation of essential sports equipment. He revealed that the GFA frequently faces difficulties clearing gear at the ports due to high costs, which directly affects the preparation and performance of national teams like the Black Stars and Black Queens.

The GFA President also highlighted a major missed revenue opportunity, revealing that the association lost a potential $5 million annual sponsorship deal with Guinness Ghana Limited. The partnership was blocked by Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) regulations that restrict alcoholic beverage companies from sponsoring sports. Simeon-Okraku urged Parliament to intervene and reconsider these restrictions, pointing out that such sponsorships are standard practice in international football leagues and are vital for attracting private-sector investment into the Ghanaian game.

The logistical challenges facing the GFA were exemplified by the revelation that all 20 national teams currently rely on a single bus purchased in 2008, which has recently broken down. This situation forces the association to spend limited resources renting vehicles for international assignments. Simeon-Okraku concluded by stressing the need for a collaborative approach to football development, calling for increased state investment in grassroots programs, coach education, and the upgrading of facilities to address the underlying causes of the nation's trophy drought.