Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has voiced his concern over the “habit” of fans booing players, stating that such behaviour contradicts the essence of being a “football-loving country”.
Okraku took to Facebook to make a passionate appeal, referencing incidents involving defender Baba Rahman and Black Princesses striker Mukarama Abdulai.
Rahman faced jeers during a Ghana match in Kumasi last year, while Abdulai endured similar treatment during Tuesday’s African Games clash against Tanzania, despite ultimately scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 victory that saw Ghana progress to the semifinals.
No matter how bad Baba Rahman has been, being booed by your home fans isn’t healthy at all.
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) September 7, 2023
The tone of Okraku’s message suggests his dissatisfaction with these occurrences, urging Ghanaians to desist from such behaviour.
“We are a football-loving country. A country that traditionally supports and loves our players in good times and in bad times. Ghana is not a football country that is hostile to its players,” wrote Okraku.
“However, in recent times, a bad culture seems to be gaining ground where a few of our fans boo our national players. I mean players who volunteer to represent our country.
“This is NOT Ghana and this culture has to be rejected. In recent times, some of our players including Abdul Baba Rahman and from yesterday’s game in Cape Coast, striker Mukarama Abdulai (Black Princesses) have been booed by some few Ghanaian football fans.
“My appeal is that let’s stay together as Ghanaians at all times and let’s support our players in good times and in bad times. This is NOT a good habit!!!!”
