Minister-designate for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has admitted he is unsure whether the government played a role in the decision to retain Otto Addo as head coach of the Black Stars.
Addo, 49, was reappointed on a three-year contract with an option for two additional years. However, he has come under intense pressure after failing to lead Ghana to qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 20 years.
The disappointing campaign led to widespread calls for his dismissal, but the Ghana Football Association (GFA) confirmed Addo would remain in charge while reinforcing the technical team.
Speaking in an interview, Kofi Adams, who represents the Buem constituency in Parliament, disclosed that he was not privy to the rationale behind the decision and was unaware if the government was consulted.
“The truth is that when the Executive Council took the decision, I was not named as the Sports Minister-designate, but after the announcement, I engaged some members in the transitional team in the area of sports, and they were not consulted on the decision to retain Otto Addo,” he told Sporty FM.
“I am yet to talk to the Chief Of Staff [Julius Debrah] since he was the first minister to be named, on whether there was any engagement with him at all.
“I have been told Kurt Okraku is not in town, but when he returns, we will discuss this issue, and I will need more answers to this decision,” he added.
Meanwhile, Winfried Schaffer has been appointed as the new technical advisor and football director for both the Black Stars and the GFA.
Desmond Offei, previously the head coach of Ghana’s U-20 team, has been promoted to the Black Stars’ technical bench as an assistant coach, replacing German coach Joseph Laumann. Offei will work alongside existing assistants John Paintsil and Fatawu Dauda.
Other additions to the backroom staff include Kris Perquy, who joins as the team psychologist, and Gregory De Grauwe, who will serve as the video analyst.