Ghana's senior national football team, the Black Stars, is set to undergo a transformation as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo introduces a comprehensive Presidential Policy on Football.
In his State of the Nation address on Tuesday, the President emphasized the deep-rooted significance of football in Ghanaian culture, recalling the team's past glories and recent setbacks.
Acknowledging the declining performance of the team, especially in recent tournaments like the AFCON in Cote d'Ivoire, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the necessity for a strategic long-term approach to revive the team's fortunes. He expressed his belief that with the right measures, Ghana could reclaim its place as a dominant force in African and global football.
The proposed policy is centered on prioritizing the development of grassroots football, with a focus on identifying, nurturing, and developing talent at the district level. This initiative will involve a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to establish juvenile teams for both boys and girls nationwide.
President Akufo-Addo announced, "It is time for us to take a proactive and forward-thinking stance to rectify past mistakes. I am introducing a Presidential Policy on Football that will prioritize talent identification and development at the grassroots level in every district. This will be achieved through a partnership between the school sports department of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ghana Football Association (GFA), leading to the formation of district, regional, and national juvenile teams for both genders."
Leveraging the significant infrastructure investments made by the government, including the establishment of over 150 astro turf pitches, this initiative aims to provide aspiring young footballers with state-of-the-art facilities and necessary support. The President emphasized the importance of selecting players based on merit, ensuring that talent progression from grassroots to senior levels is solely based on performance.
President Akufo-Addo drew parallels with past successful football development programs, such as the five-year plan spearheaded by the late Ben Koufie during the administration of President JA Kufuor. He emphasized that achieving sustainable success in football requires time, dedication, and patience. The President expressed confidence that with proper execution, the Black Stars will once again become a source of national pride.