Ghana’s former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah, has made a passionate plea to the government to invest more in the country’s football sector. Appiah, who appeared before a parliamentary fact-finding committee investigating the decline of Ghanaian football, emphasized that the government’s increased financial commitment is crucial to reviving the sport.
Appiah expressed concerns that many football fans have lost hope in Ghanaian football, which is negatively impacting the nation. He criticized the government’s focus on the senior national team, the Black Stars, while neglecting junior teams, including the U-17, U-20, U-23, and women’s teams. “Ghana won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, and the U-20 team also won a trophy in 2021. Since then, we’ve struggled to achieve any major success,” Appiah lamented.
Appiah also highlighted the practice of excluding players who helped during qualifiers from the final tournament, which affects team spirit. He believes that the lack of familiarity and cooperation among players has contributed to poor performance. To address these issues, Appiah advocates for increased investment in grassroots football, development of more FIFA-standard stadia, and equal attention to all levels of the sport .
National Sports Authority Board Chairman, Hon. Seth Panwun Boyoyo, also addressed the committee, stressing the Authority’s role in promoting amateur and professional sports in Ghana. Boyoyo acknowledged Ghana’s defeat to Angola at Kumasi’s Baba Yara Sports Stadium as an unfortunate incident but assured the committee that corrective measures are being taken.
The parliamentary committee, chaired by Hon. Kobena Mensah Woyome, aims to investigate the decline of Ghanaian football following a petition by the Fix Ghana Group. Woyome encouraged participants to speak candidly, emphasizing the importance of their input in addressing the concerns raised. Public hearings will continue on September 30, 2024.
Appiah’s call to action echoes his previous advocacy for increased investment in grassroots football. In 2017, he emphasized the need to revive grassroots football, citing his own experience playing in U-10, U-12, and U-14 tournaments. With Appiah’s expertise and the committee’s investigation, Ghanaian football may soon experience a much-needed revival.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
