Minister of Youth and Sports Calls for Transformation of Ghana’s Football Landscape
In a powerful address at the 29th Ordinary Session of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Congress, Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, emphasized the need for a comprehensive transformation of Ghana’s football landscape. The Minister called on the Ghana Football Association to develop strategies that would make the domestic league more attractive, competitive, and financially sustainable.
While acknowledging the government’s unprecedented investments in infrastructure and policies to support sports development in Ghana, Minister Mustapha Ussif stressed that infrastructure and financial resources alone were not enough to guarantee success in football. He urged the football administration to critically assess the current approach and embrace a new vision for the future.
We must undergo a comprehensive transformation of our football landscape, stated the Minister. The Ghana Football Association must take a critical look at our current approach and embrace a new vision for the future.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of empowering coaches and developing their competence to international standards. He called for increased exposure to the outside world and continuous capacity building to ensure that Ghanaian coaches possess the necessary skills to develop the potential of Ghanaian players to the fullest.
Furthermore, Minister Mustapha Ussif emphasized the role of football in uniting the nation. He cited the unifying force behind the success of the national team, the Black Stars, in international tournaments. He urged the football community to use football as a tool to foster national unity and instill a sense of pride and patriotism among Ghanaians.
Addressing concerns about fair refereeing, the Minister emphasized the need for transparency and integrity in the management of football affairs. He urged the Ghana Football Association to take steps to address any perception of compromised refereeing, as it had a negative effect on the integrity of the league competitions and Ghanaian football as a whole.
The Minister’s speech resonated with the audience, including officials from the Ghana Football Association, representatives from football clubs, and members of the media. They acknowledged the importance of embracing change to ensure the success and growth of Ghanaian football.
The timing of the Minister’s call for a transformation of Ghana’s football landscape is crucial, as the nation is preparing for the upcoming 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. It is expected that the Ghana Football Association will heed the Minister’s call and work towards implementing the necessary changes to drive the progress of football in the country.
As Ghana continues its pursuit of football excellence, the Minister of Youth and Sports has set the stage for a renewed focus on developing a vibrant and competitive domestic league. This renewed focus will not only attract fans but also provide sustainable opportunities for Ghanaian football players to thrive on both the national and international stages.
