President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has clarified his position regarding the inclusion of players of Ghanaian descent in the Black Stars, adopting a more inclusive tone than his earlier remarks suggested.
Back in October 2025, Okraku stressed that commitment to the national cause would be the key requirement for selection.
“Players who have not shown enough commitment to the Ghanaian flag will not be part of us. There must be a good reason why a player is included in the travelling party. I want players who display high levels of dedication, passion and respect for Ghana.”
Those comments generated widespread debate, especially amid conversations about dual-nationality players ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, speaking on Asaase Radio in Accra on Tuesday, the GFA president appeared to adopt a broader perspective, pointing to the realities of modern football.
“For me, there is no discussion — a Ghanaian is a Ghanaian. If a Ghanaian is born in Sisala, he is Ghanaian. If a child is born in Milan to a Ghanaian parent, he is Ghanaian.”
Okraku emphasized that selection decisions ultimately lie with the technical team.
“If they are good footballers and the coaches want them, they will play for Ghana — as simple as that. The reality is that we are in a competitive market. Every country, whether Germany, Spain or England, is looking for a competitive advantage in football.”
He further argued that Ghana cannot afford to be passive while other nations actively recruit players with ancestral ties.
“If Germany can cross over to Turkey to find sons of the land who have the highest quality and can play for them, so be it. Why should Ghana sit aloof and watch our kids go and play for other countries? I will not subscribe to that.”
His latest remarks indicate a strategic shift toward embracing diaspora talent as Ghana builds toward the 2026 World Cup.