Kurt Okraku

After completing his secondary education at Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua, Okraku began his official association with football in early 1996 when he formed the colts club. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Ghana.{{Cite web|title=Profile: New GFA President Kurt Okraku, in his own words|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Profile-New-GFA-President-Kurt-Okraku-in-his-own-words-793265|access-date=2019-10-28|website=www.ghanaweb.com|language=en}} He trained as a journalist at the Ghana Institute of Journalism.{{Cite web|last=Online|first=Peace FM|title=Profile Of The New President Of GFA Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku|url=https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/sports/soccer/201910/394338.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026123813/https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/sports/soccer/201910/394338.php|archive-date=2019-10-26|access-date=2019-10-28|website=www.peacefmonline.com}} He received his MBA from the University of Liverpool.{{Cite news|date=2019-10-25|title=Ghana FA: Kurt Okraku is elected as new president after three rounds of voting|language=en-GB|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50185449|url-status=live|access-date=2019-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028081444/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50185449|archive-date=2019-10-28}}{{Cite web|title=Kurt Okraku stands out in Presidential debate with concrete solutions for Ghana football|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/kurt-okraku-stands-out-in-presidential-debate-with-concrete-solutions-for-ghana-football|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023140129/https://ghanasoccernet.com/kurt-okraku-stands-out-in-presidential-debate-with-concrete-solutions-for-ghana-football|archive-date=2019-10-23|access-date=2019-10-28|website=GhanaSoccernet}} While in the UK, he also received instruction in marketing, hospitality, and tourism management.

He established a colt football club, Shooting Stars FC when he was 17 years old and was also the Director of the Jawara Babies Colt Club.{{Cite web|title=Profile: New GFA President Kurt Okraku, in his own words|url=http://www.myjoyonline.com/sports/2019/October-25th/profile-new-gfa-president-kurt-okraku-in-his-own-words.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025165407/https://www.myjoyonline.com/sports/2019/October-25th/profile-new-gfa-president-kurt-okraku-in-his-own-words.php|archive-date=2019-10-25|access-date=2019-10-28|website=www.myjoyonline.com}} From 1996 to 1999, he was a presenter and sports presenter for Radio Univers 105.7 FM, campus radio of the University of Ghana, Legon and concurrently served as the public relations officer for Afienya United FC, Tema and at the Public Relations Department, Ministry of Youth and Sports (1997–98) and the sports editor for Groove FM (1998–99). Between 1999 and 2000, he was the Deputy Sports Editor, Network Broadcasting Ltd, owners of Radio Gold. He was the Communications and Marketing Director of Accra Hearts of Oak S.C. between 2006 and 2007.

He worked for sports marketing companies in the UK and Israel. He was the Communications and marketing director of Accra Hearts of Oak between 2006 and 2007. He was the administrative manager of Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) from 2008 to 2010. He became general manager of Wassaman in 2011.{{Cite web|title=Profile of the new President of the Ghana FA Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/profile-of-the-new-president-of-the-ghana-fa-kurt-edwin-simeon-okraku|access-date=2020-01-04|website=GhanaSoccernet|language=en}} He is the Chairman of the Board of Dream FC. He is also the owner of Dream League Soccer (DLS)- a popular mobile soccer game developed and published by First Touch Game(FTG).

Okraku on 29 October 2019 became the president of the Ghana Football Association.{{Cite web|last=Association|first=Ghana Football|title=Kurt E.S Okraku elected as Ghana FA President|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/kurt-es-okraku-elected-as-ghana-fa-president|access-date=2021-03-06|website=www.ghanafa.org|language=en}} He became the first president of the Ghana Football Association after the Anas ''exposay,"{{Cite web|title=Number 12: Ghana FA begins charging implicated individuals of famous Anas corruption expose {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/number-12-ghana-fa-begins-charging-implicated-individuals-of/otg5f6xf7tch1q47ruo6s8qq0|access-date=2021-03-06|website=www.goal.com}} which led the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), with the president of the Republic of Ghana dissolving the Ghana FA in 2017. Upon his election as the new GFA president, the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino sent a congratulatory message to him and members of the new Executive Council of the GFA.{{Cite web |last=Association |first=Ghana Football |title=Fifa President congratulates Kurt Okraku, Executive Council Members |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/fifa-president-congratulates-kurt-okraku-executive-council-members |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=www.ghanafa.org |language=en}} Kurt E.S Okraku chaired the Ghana Football Association FA Cup committee.{{Cite web|date=2017-10-17|title=MTN FA Cup Committee chairman Kurt Okraku promises 'unmissable' final between Hearts and Kotoko|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/mtn-fa-cup-committee-chairman-kurt-okraku-promises-unmissable-final-between-hearts-and-kotoko|access-date=2021-08-18|website=GhanaSoccernet|language=en}} Speaking on the numbers of players who leave the Ghanaian Leagues to join foreign leagues, he mentioned that there will be a need for investment in local leagues to help curb the situation.https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/It-will-take-time-to-curb-player-exodus-Ghana-FA-leader-Kurt-Okraku-1841726

The GFA announced the exclusive list for its presidential election on Monday August 4, 2023, confirming that the incumbent, Kurt Okraku, and the former GFA vice president, George Afriyie, have successfully submitted their forms for the eminent role.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-15 |title=GFA confirm Kurt Okraku and George Afriyie presidential nominations |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/GFA-confirm-Kurt-Okraku-and-George-Afriyie-presidential-nominations-1824890 |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}} On Thursday, October 5, 2023, Simon Okraku was re-elected as the president of the Ghana Football Association at the Global Dream Hotel, Tamale.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=Kurt Okraku re-elected as GFA President in landslide victory |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2023/10/kurt-okraku-re-elected-as-gfa-president-in-landslide-victory/ |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Kurt Okraku retains position as GFA boss, Kwesi Appiah wins Exco position |url=https://sportsbrief.com/football/50205-kurt-okraku-retains-seat-ghana-football-association-president/ |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=sportsbrief.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=Kurt Okraku re-elected as Ghana FA President |url=https://3news.com/kurt-okraku-re-elected-as-ghana-fa-president/}}{{Cite web |last=Ayamga |first=Emmanuel |date=2023-10-05 |title=Breaking: Kurt Okraku re-elected for 2nd term as Ghana FA president |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/football/ghpl/kurt-okraku-re-elected-for-2nd-term-as-ghana-fa-president/qb9h4ng |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Pulse Ghana |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Association |first=Ghana Football |title=President Simeon-Okraku thanks Tamale for support following re-election |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/president-simeon-okraku-thanks-tamale-for-support-following-re-election |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.ghanafa.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=Kurt Okraku re-elected as President of Ghana Football Association |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Kurt-Okraku-re-elected-as-President-of-Ghana-Football-Association-1856861 |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=Kurt Okraku re-elected GFA President for second term after going unopposed - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/kurt-okraku-re-elected-gfa-president-for-second-term-after-going-unopposed/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}

In October 2024, he delivered a speech to the players of Black Stars which was condemned on the internet after it was posted online.{{Cite web |last=Mintah |first=Yaw Loic |date=2024-10-22 |title=He was pushed to that limit- Wilson Arthur on Kurt Okraku’s infamous speech |url=https://citisportsonline.com/2024/10/he-was-pushed-to-that-limit-wilson-arthur-on-kurt-okrakus-infamous-speech/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Citi Sports Online |language=en-US}}

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Category:Living people

Category:Presidents of the Ghana Football Association

Category:Fante people

Category:University of Ghana alumni

Category:Alumni of the University of Liverpool

Category:1971 births

Category:Ghanaian football chairmen and investors

Category:Ghanaian sports executives and administrators

Category:Ghana Institute of Journalism alumni

Category:Ghana Senior High School (Koforidua) alumni

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