Former Youth and Sports Minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has underscored the need for Ghana to prioritize national interest and merit over favoritism in selecting players for the Black Stars, especially in light of recent disappointing performances.
Afriyie Ankrah stressed that Ghana’s focus should be on nurturing young talents and establishing a stronger pathway for players transitioning from youth teams to the senior national squad.
He pointed out that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has not adequately promoted players from the U-17 and U-20 levels to the Black Stars, which he believes has contributed to the team’s challenges.
“Fans are noticing a lack of continuity," Afriyie Ankrah explained, "as players who represented Ghana at youth levels rarely make it to the senior team. This gap affects the team’s cohesion and overall development.”
He cited players like Dede Ayew, who rose through the youth ranks to become senior team leaders, as successful examples that Ghana should emulate. Emphasizing a performance-based approach, Afriyie Ankrah called for an end to favoritism and connection-based selections. “If the talents are there, they must be nurtured and integrated into the team based on performance, competence, and capability—not on connections or favoritism from coaches or FA members,” he told Citi Sports.
His comments resonate with calls from Ghanaian football fans for a reform in the player development system. Afriyie Ankrah's insights could be instrumental in shaping future strategies to foster young talents, secure continuity, and enhance the Black Stars' performance on the international stage.
