Augustine Ahinful has suggested the creation of a National Management Board to oversee the country’s national football teams, arguing that it would be more effective than the current structure of individual Management Committees.
Ahinful’s proposal follows the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) announcement of a new Management Committee for the Black Stars, after the previous committee, headed by Mark Addo, was dissolved.
The dissolution came after the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In an interview with Sporty FM, Ahinful, a former Black Stars striker, raised concerns about the purpose and efficiency of the Management Committees.
He proposed that a National Management Board, composed of a broader group of individuals—not limited to football experts—would be better positioned to make informed decisions for the teams.
“I have served on a Management Committee before, and I feel it will be better to have a National Management Board. That should not have only football people, who will always come on board and look at the affairs of the various national teams we have.”
Ahinful further explained that such a board could delegate responsibilities efficiently. “Assuming we have 10 people on the National Management Board and the Black Stars will be engaged in a game, two people could be delegated to take charge of that game. It will be fine because there are employees also at the GFA who can also work.”
He also criticized the inefficiency of some committee members. “There are a lot of people serving on committees who are not doing anything. I have served on a committee, and it happened that some members did not even know the age bracket of the players who were invited. I had to inform the committee that these players who have been invited cannot play for the Black Satellites.”
“So if these management committees are that important, they should be checking and advising the technical team of the national teams,” he added.
The new Management Committee for the Black Stars includes Dr. Randy Abbey, a GFA Executive Council member, who will chair the Committee and liaise with the government and other stakeholders. Former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah will serve as Vice-Chairman, focusing on player relations. The committee also includes Samuel Aboabire, Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Football Association, Moses Armah, President of Medeama Sporting Club, and Richard Nsenkyire, President of FC Samartex 1996, with each member tasked with specific operational, matchday, and special duties.
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