- Kurt Okraku appeared to sidestep a handshake with Kofi Adams after Ghana’s win over Mali.
- The moment has fueled speculation of a fallout between the GFA and Sports Ministry.
- Adams had announced budget cuts before the match, reportedly angering the GFA.
- Days before the game, Adams visited the team, suggesting reconciliation.
- The incident may have been a snub or simply a missed gesture amid celebrations.
A brief moment at the Accra Sports Stadium has sparked a wave of speculation about tensions between Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku and Minister of Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams. Following the Black Stars’ crucial 1–0 victory over Mali on Monday, September 8, a viral video captured Okraku walking past Adams without extending a handshake — a gesture many interpreted as a deliberate snub.
The incident comes on the heels of a public budget cut announced by Adams ahead of the match, a move that reportedly angered the GFA and fueled talk of a rift between the two officials. However, days before kickoff, Adams visited the Black Stars’ camp and posed with players and management, suggesting a thaw in relations.
On match day, Okraku was seen enthusiastically greeting officials and team members on the pitch. But when he reached Adams, the handshake never happened — a moment that social media users quickly dissected, with some calling it a subtle protest and others dismissing it as an innocent oversight amid the adrenaline of post-match celebrations.
Neither Okraku nor Adams has publicly addressed the incident, leaving room for interpretation. Some insiders suggest the lapse may have been unintentional, while others believe it reflects lingering tension over the budget cuts and broader disagreements about team management.
The timing is delicate. Ghana’s win over Mali has brought the Black Stars closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, and unity among leadership is seen as crucial to maintaining momentum. Meanwhile, Mali has announced plans to petition FIFA over Alexander Djiku’s goal, adding another layer of drama to an already charged fixture.
Whether the handshake moment was a snub or a slip, it has reignited conversations about transparency, collaboration, and the optics of leadership in Ghanaian football.
