Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has criticized the current structure of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
In his view, it hinders the success of the Black Stars and will even make it difficult for even top-tier European coaches to achieve results.
Under the leadership of Kurt Okraku, the Black Stars have struggled to make a significant impact. The team faced consecutive group-stage eliminations at the 2021 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively.
The team’s woes deepened with a failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, finishing last in Group F.
Speaking in an interview with Kessben FM, Vanderpuye, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for the Odododiodio constituency, attributed the team’s decline to the flawed structure of the GFA, which he believes has deflected accountability onto others.
“If I were the Sports Minister, I would disband the GFA. We are not going to be at the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said.
“FIFA will suspend us for six months and we will use that period to put things in order so we build a team for the next AFCON qualifiers. Let’s ask ourselves, why should we always sit and allow the GFA to sack the coach when the Black Stars fail?” he quizzed.
Vanderpuye further argued that, the structural issues within the GFA would make it difficult for any coach, no matter their pedigree, to succeed with the Black Stars.
“What is going on in Ghana football, if you hire Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp or any top coach and we don’t change the structure, we will still fail,” he added.
He criticized the monopolization of decision-making within the GFA, alleging that personal interests take precedence over the national team’s success.
“We have created a structure where the players of one person are playing for the Black Stars, he’s the one appointing the coach, managing ballboys and team doctor. How will the Black Stars succeed” he bemoaned.
The Black Stars are scheduled to return to competitive action in March 2025 for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with matches against Chad and Madagascar.
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