Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club has appointed Julius Ben Emunah as Managing Director, effective Monday, February 2, 2026, as the club seeks to strengthen administrative operations and restore competitiveness in Ghana’s top flight football.
The Board of Directors announced the appointment on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, through a press release issued in Accra. Emunah replaces Delali Anku Adiamah, whose contract expired in December 2025 after serving as Managing Director since February 2024. The position remained vacant for two months as the club conducted assessments and negotiations with potential candidates.
Emunah brings nearly ten years of experience in football administration, governance, sports broadcasting and sports management at both national and continental levels. The board stated that throughout his career, he has demonstrated strong leadership in competition management, club licensing, event organization, media relations and regulatory work.
Before his appointment, Emunah worked as Head of Competitions at the Ghana Football Association (GFA), a position he held from January 2023 until his resignation in January 2026. He previously served as Regional Administrator at the Western Regional Football Association, National Safety and Security Officer and Club Licensing Manager at the GFA. His career in Ghanaian football administration began in 2016 when he joined as Western Regional Secretary.
Between 2020 and 2024, Emunah served as Club Licensing Manager, playing key roles in implementing Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) club licensing requirements across Ghana. In that capacity, he was deeply involved in matchday safety coordination, regulatory compliance and ensuring clubs met continental competition standards.
Academically, Emunah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Cape Coast and a Global Masters in Sports Management and Legal Skills with FC Barcelona at ISDE Law Business School in Spain. This combination of practical experience and specialized academic training positions him to navigate both operational and strategic challenges facing the club.
The Board of Directors expressed confidence in his ability to lead Hearts of Oak into a new phase of professionalism, transparency and competitiveness in line with international standards. As Managing Director, Emunah will oversee the club’s administrative, commercial and sporting operations, working closely with the technical team, players, supporters, sponsors and other stakeholders to promote growth and long term success.
The club statement described Emunah as representing a breath of fresh air in Hearts of Oak, indicating expectations that he will usher the club toward becoming more competitive domestically and continentally. Hearts of Oak, nicknamed the Phobians, is one of Ghana’s most successful clubs with 21 Ghana Premier League titles and two continental trophies including the CAF Champions League in 2000 and the CAF Confederation Cup in 2004.
However, recent seasons have seen the club struggle to match historical standards. Hearts of Oak finished sixth in the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League season, failing to qualify for continental competition. The club also experienced administrative instability, with changes in management and coaching staff affecting continuity and performance.
The current 2025/26 season, which kicked off on September 12, 2025, has shown improvement under coach Mas Ud Didi Dramani. As of matchday 20, Hearts of Oak sits fifth on the table with 31 points from 18 matches, three points behind leaders Medeama SC. The team boasts the league’s best defensive record with only seven goals conceded but has struggled to find goals, managing just 11 strikes.
Hearts of Oak currently plays home matches at the University of Ghana Stadium after moving from the Accra Sports Stadium. The club has won three consecutive home matches at the University of Ghana Stadium since October 2025, suggesting improved form at their temporary venue.
Emunah officially received his appointment letter on Monday, February 2, 2026, and is expected to assume duties immediately. The club held an internal unveiling at its Commercial Centre on Tuesday, introducing the new Managing Director to staff and stakeholders.
His appointment comes at a critical juncture as Hearts of Oak seeks to rebuild its commercial operations, strengthen youth development structures and position itself for sustainable success. The club has struggled financially in recent years, with sponsorship challenges and revenue generation difficulties affecting its ability to compete for top players and invest in infrastructure.
The new Managing Director faces immediate tasks including finalizing preparations for the second half of the 2025/26 season, strengthening commercial partnerships, improving matchday revenue and supporting the technical team’s efforts to mount a credible title challenge. With 16 matches remaining in the current campaign, Hearts of Oak remains within striking distance of the championship.
Emunah’s background in sports broadcasting, having worked as a broadcast journalist for over 15 years before transitioning fully into football administration, positions him to enhance the club’s media presence and public relations. His experience with club licensing requirements also addresses longstanding concerns about Hearts of Oak’s administrative compliance with CAF and FIFA standards.
The Ghana Premier League is scheduled to conclude on the weekend of May 23/24, 2026, before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in June. Hearts of Oak will compete across multiple fronts as the season progresses, with the FA Cup and potential qualification for continental competition depending on final league positioning.
Accra Hearts of Oak assured supporters and partners of its continued commitment to excellence on and off the field as the club begins this new chapter under Emunah’s leadership. The appointment represents the club’s latest effort to restore administrative stability and competitive standards that characterized its golden era at the turn of the millennium.
