Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has reignited debate over Ghana’s player selection policy, declaring that Chelsea’s teenage defender Joshua Kofi Acheampong is superior to all current Black Stars defenders.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Vanderpuye expressed frustration at growing resistance to the inclusion of dual nationals in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, arguing that such attitudes have cost the country world-class talents in the past.
“We are making a mistake,” he said. “We had the same opportunity when Gerald Asamoah chose Germany over Ghana. The same thing happened with Danny Welbeck — England fielded him against us, and we lost him. Today, there is this boy playing for Chelsea, Josh Acheampong. To me, he is better than all our defenders. Bring him, he is a Ghanaian.”
The former Odododiodio MP urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to adopt a more open-minded approach to dual nationals, emphasizing that birthplace should not determine one’s right to represent Ghana.
Acheampong, 19, was born in England to Ghanaian parents and has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most promising young defenders. He recently scored his first senior goal for Chelsea in their 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, further cementing his reputation as a rising star.