King Faisal Football Club owner and bankroller Alhaji Karim Gruzah says clubs in Ghana are afraid to criticise the Ghana Football Association (GFA) because they could face relegation.
Speaking to Asoreba Thunderh on the ‘Onua Maadwo’ show on Onua FM, Gruzah accused the Kurt Okraku-led GFA of cronyism, intimidation and victimisation, which he said were holding back the development of football in Ghana.
“Even now Kotoko and Hearts Oak are afraid to speak up because they would be threatened with relegation,” he said on Monday, October 5, 2026.
Gruzah also called on Minister of Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams to force the GFA leadership and the Black Stars Management Committee to resign, or dissolve the association.
“Let them resign immediately before we play our next match. I am not a prophet but if they resign, Ghana will qualify inshallah. I plead with every Ghanaian to rise up and demonstrate against this FA,” he said.
He argued that Ghanaian football had experienced no meaningful improvement for some time, aside from what he described as an increase in arrogance, personal interests, nepotism and cronyism.
According to Gruzah, players who are not managed by the GFA’s leadership are unlikely to receive opportunities with the Black Stars, regardless of their ability.
“A player who is not being managed by the leaders of the football association will not get the chance to play for the Black Stars no matter how good the player may be,” he said.
He also questioned the status of Ghana’s youth national teams since Kurt Okraku became GFA president.
“Where are the Under 17, Under 20, and Under 23 national teams since Kurt Okraku became the GFA president?” he asked.
Gruzah has been involved in Ghanaian football through King Faisal Football Club, although the source describes his wider impact on the sport as inconspicuous. He is also known for his stated commitment to truthfulness and for advocating transparency and accountability within the GFA.
Through King Faisal, he has played a role in the development of football at grassroots level. His latest criticism adds to his continued calls for changes in the administration of the sport and for greater accountability from the country’s football authorities.
