Former Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton has called on the Ghanaian government to invest more heavily in football infrastructure and the domestic game, insisting improved facilities and stronger support for the Ghana Premier League are essential to restoring the country's status as one of Africa's football powerhouses.
The 67-year-old believes Ghana's recent struggles at international level are a reflection of broader challenges facing the country's football structure, with other African nations making significant progress through sustained investment and development.
His comments come as the Black Stars battle to rescue their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign after losing their opening two Group C matches to Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Hughton said Ghana could no longer rely on its rich football history and must adapt to the rapidly improving standards across the continent.
"Many years ago Ghana were at a level that was, if not the best team in Africa, certainly right up there.
"You've seen the emergence of so many other good African nations that have made the competition levels that much higher."
The former Newcastle United and Brighton manager stressed that meaningful investment from government is needed to strengthen the foundations of Ghanaian football.
"Some of these countries have so many other problems, but I do think that there needs to be an injection of government money into the structure and into the system."
Hughton also expressed concern over the current state of the Ghana Premier League, arguing that deteriorating playing conditions and dwindling fan attendance are affecting the development of home-grown talent.
According to him, the domestic league no longer enjoys the level of support it once did, despite historically producing many of the players who progressed to the Black Stars.
"In Ghana, the local game that used to produce so many good players, the support level is not there.
"They're playing on pitches that are not of a great level and the supporters are not coming.
"The supporters in Ghana love the Black Stars most, first and foremost, and of course the Premier League is massive there, but there isn't that support for the local game that there used to be.
"I think the government needs to do more as regards putting money into the infrastructure."
Hughton's remarks come at a critical moment for Ghanaian football, with the Black Stars sitting bottom of Group C without a point after defeats to Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia.
Interim head coach Kim Lars Björkegren will look to revive Ghana's qualification hopes when the Black Stars face Somalia in a decisive AFCON qualifying double-header at the Essipong Sports Stadium.
The four-time African champions need positive results to keep alive their hopes of reaching the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
