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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged stakeholders of the Ghana Football Association(GFA), to do whatever it takes to develop the domestic football league in the country.
According to the President, that is the only way to nurture talents for the various national football teams.
President Akufo-Addo made this remark on Thursday, March 3, 2022 when a delegation from the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), led by its Chairman, Kudjoe Fianoo called on him at the Jubilee House to present to him the trophy for today’s President cup match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
The two sides will battle for the 2022 President Cup to honor President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a one-off clash at the Accra Sports Stadium at 6:00pm to commemorate Ghana’s Republic day celebration.
“It is a strong vibrant league that will enable us to have a strong vibrant national side. So, all of us have to put our heads together to see the way forward as to how we can strengthen our domestic league,”
“We are crying, complaining about no longer being a powerhouse in African football and not winning the cup and everything, I think it is a question of organization and organization begins with organizing a very strong domestic league” he said.
He therefore admitted government’s commitment to offer support to stakeholders of the game for the betterment of football in the country.
“People in this room plus the government side have to put our heads together to chart a good path for the future of the domestic league in Ghana” Nana Akufo-Addo added.
GHALCA Chairman, Kudjo Fianoo then indicated that it is time to pay attention to the domestic league to ensure a good blend of foreign and local-based players into the Black Stars and other national teams.
“We want to build a national team of a blend of locals and those who are playing in the foreign leagues and the only way we can do that is to ensure that we get a lot of energy and resources into our local league.” Mr Fianoo emphasized.
He added that by so doing, it will reduce player exodus in the country and to also demotivate players from seeking for greener pastures in countries such as “Ethiopia to play football.”
The 2022 President Cup marks the competition’s 20th anniversary following its introduction under the erstwhile former President John Agyekum Kufuor administration in 2002.
The delegation team led by the Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, included, Professor Peter Twumasi, Seth Panwum, Alhaji Akambi, Nana Yaw Amponsah and John Ansah.
