President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed grave concern over the performance of the Black Stars at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations during his State of the Nation(SONA) address on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
He characterised it as a clear indication of the team’s current dire state and the urgent need for intervention.
President Akufo-Addo pointed out that the Black Stars have been on a steady decline since 2014, with the 2023 AFCON serving as a stark reminder of the depth of their decline.
He stressed the necessity for immediate action to reverse the downward trajectory that Ghanaian football has experienced over the past decade.
“It is fair to say that, since the sad events of Brazil in 2014, many Ghanaians have been left disappointed by some of the recent results of the Black Stars. Various attempts have been made to revive the fortunes of the national team and rebuild the enthusiasm of the people with varying degrees of success.
“The recent AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire was probably the nadir of the performance of the Black Stars, and has left the nation saddened. However, I am quite certain that the young men and the technical handlers would, themselves, have wanted to make our nation proud, and I believe that the captain, Andre Dede Ayew, meant every word when he rendered heartfelt apologies on behalf of his team-mates to all Ghanaians for the team’s early exit,” he said.
To address the continuous downward spiralling of Ghanaian football, President Akufo-Addo says his government will institute the Presidential Policy on Football.
This policy, according to the president, will see the government working with the Ghana Football Association to develop football at the grassroots level.
“Mr Speaker, I believe it is time for us to take a long-term, far-sighted approach to correct what has gone wrong. It is time to return to scouting, grooming and developing talent at the district grassroots level under a Presidential Policy on Football that I intend to unveil.
The school sports department of the Ministry of Education will work hand in hand with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration and synergy with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), to build district, regional and national juvenile teams for both boys and girls,” he said.
The Black Stars endured a disappointing campaign in the 2023 AFCON, failing to secure a single victory in any of their three matches.
Ghana suffered defeats to Cape Verde and managed only draws against Egypt and Mozambique, accumulating a mere two points out of a possible nine.
In the aftermath of their premature exit from the tournament, the GFA took decisive action by dismissing coach Chris Hughton. They are currently in search of a suitable replacement to lead the team forward.