Basake Holy Stars attacking midfielder Sylvester Simba believes that government intervention is crucial to addressing the ongoing mass departure of players from Ghana's local football scene.
This trend has significantly impacted the quality of the Ghana Premier League and other competitions, as many talented players who perform well often leave to join clubs across the continent or make direct moves to Europe.
In an interview with Koforidua-based Bryt FM, Simba expressed his concerns about the meager salaries of home-based players. He highlighted the financial disparities between the Ghana Premier League and other leagues on the continent, noting that players are increasingly opting to play in neighboring countries like Togo for better compensation.
“Player exodus has been the topic of the day in recent times. I know the GFA is doing their best to make the league more attractive, but I think it will take time because of the rampant exit of players,” Simba stated.
He acknowledged that while clubs like Kotoko and Hearts of Oak offer decent salaries, the overall financial conditions for players in Ghana remain unfavorable. “Salaries given to players elsewhere are too bad. Our players now prefer to play in even Togo because of money. It is sad to return home at the end of the season with a maximum amount of GHC4,000.”
In light of this situation, the enterprising midfielder has called on the government to take action to improve the financial landscape for players in Ghana. “I will plead with the government to step in and make salaries favorable to the players. Honestly, it’s too bad playing in Ghana,” he added.
