Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku is new president of the Ghana Football Association after a keenly-contested election that had to be decided after three rounds on Friday.
The Dreams FC Executive Chairman led in the first two phases of the polls but missed the 50% +1 requirement for an outright victory.
Mr. Okraku scored 44 votes in the opening round while his closest contender George Afriyie polled 40. A third force, Nana Yaw Amponsah also received 27 votes.
STATEMENT OF POLLS:
– Presidential First Round.
Second round underway with three contestants:
1. Kurt Okraku
2. George Afriyie
3. Nana Yaw Amponsah📲 #FootyGhana | https://t.co/cOdDhcSTGq pic.twitter.com/xhph5voHLS
— Footy-Ghana.com 🇬🇭 (@FootyGhana) October 25, 2019
Before the start of the second round, candidate Fred Pappoe, who had polled only 6 votes, pulled out of the race.
PULL OUT:
Candidate @FredPappoeGFA decides against going for the second round after initially polling 6 votes.
📲 #FootyGhana | https://t.co/cOdDhcSTGq pic.twitter.com/EkjVBGMwRF
— Footy-Ghana.com 🇬🇭 (@FootyGhana) October 25, 2019
In the second round, Kurt Okraku saw his stock rise to 59 votes, representing exactly 50% of the 118 votes cast.
– Presidential: 2ND ROUND
STATEMENT OF POLLS:
1. Kurt Okraku – 59 votes (50%)
2. George Afriyie – 43 votes
3. Nana Yaw Amponsah – 16 votes
4. Spoilt ballot – 1Total votes – 118@KurtOkraku needed just one to be Prez.
📲 #FootyGhana | https://t.co/cOdDhcSTGq pic.twitter.com/aIQtkSUf0C
— Footy-Ghana.com 🇬🇭 (@FootyGhana) October 25, 2019
George Afriyie then decided to concede defeat to Okraku after receiving only 3 more votes in addition to his initial stock.
But in accordance with regulations, a third-round had to be conducted with Kurt Okraku the only contender. After the count, the one-time Chairman of the MTN FA Cup Committee was officially declared winner of the one-sided round with 93 votes – 96.9% of the 97 total votes cast.
Kurt Okraku will lead the administration of Ghana football for the next four years. He will be assisted by 11 others on a 12-member Executive Council.