Former Youth and Sports Minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has highlighted the need for merit and national interest to take precedence over favoritism in selecting players for Ghana’s national football team.
Following Ghana’s recent disappointing performances, Afriyie Ankrah emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent and ensuring a smooth progression from youth levels to the senior team.
Addressing the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) approach, he argued that a lack of continuity from youth squads to the Black Stars has hindered Ghana’s football development.
Fans have voiced concerns over the absence of under-17 and under-20 players in the senior lineup, which, according to Afriyie Ankrah, disrupts Ghana’s player development pipeline.
Afriyie Ankrah cited successful transitions like that of Dede Ayew as a benchmark for integrating young talents.
He urged that player selection should be grounded in “performance, competence, and capability,” not connections or favoritism by coaches or GFA officials.
His statement reflects an ongoing debate on restructuring Ghanaian football to prioritize talent and performance objectively.
With Ghanaian football at a critical juncture, Afriyie Ankrah’s perspective may influence strategies focused on developing a new generation of stars and restoring the national team’s success.