A former Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Authority, Seth Panwum, has demanded the resignation of the Ghana Football Association president following the Black Stars' 2-4 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. He described the loss as "A serious warning about the direction of Ghana football" and called for accountability from the GFA leadership. Mr. Panwum, also the New Patriotic Party spokesperson on sports, made the call in a statement released to the Daily Graphic.
The 2-4 defeat to The Gambia was particularly painful for Ghana as it occurred on home soil, representing a significant setback for a national team expected to be highly competitive, especially in Accra. Mr. Panwum contrasted the current run with the team's record under the NPP administration, citing a strong home record and a 1-0 home win over Mali during the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. He noted that Ghana was now witnessing a worrying decline in standard.
Mr. Panwum's criticism was not directed at individual players or injuries, as he acknowledged that football would always have injuries, suspensions, and difficult circumstances. Instead, he pointed to better management, match preparation, and tactical output as the difference between Ghana and opponents like Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia. The Gambia's 4-2 win over Ghana should compel every serious football administrator to assess whether the current approach is working.
As the NPP spokesperson on sports, Mr. Panwum called on the GFA President to take responsibility for the current state of Ghana football and resign from office. He believes that resignation would provide an opportunity for a new leadership direction and allow Ghana football to begin a comprehensive process of rebuilding, reform, and restoration. This would enable the Black Stars to regain their competitive edge.
Mr. Panwum outlined several steps needed for a reset, including a comprehensive technical review of the Black Stars, transparent assessment of national-team preparation, stronger accountability within the GFA, and greater investment in youth development and the domestic game. He emphasized that the Black Stars belong to the Ghanaian people, not the GFA, the government, a political party, or any individual.
The 2-4 defeat to The Gambia marked Ghana's second consecutive loss in the opening two matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The Black Stars previously lost 2-0 to Côte d'Ivoire. These losses have raised concerns about the team's performance and the need for drastic measures to restore Ghana football to its former glory.
The GFA President's resignation would be a significant step towards addressing the current challenges facing Ghana football. Mr. Panwum's call for accountability and a comprehensive review of the national team's performance is a wake-up call for the GFA leadership to reassess their strategy and approach to the game. The Ghanaian football community awaits the GFA President's response to Mr. Panwum's demands.
Key points
- Seth Panwum demands GFA President's resignation after Black Stars' 2-4 loss to The Gambia.
- Panwum cites poor management, match preparation, and tactical output as causes of Ghana's decline.
- He calls for a comprehensive review of the Black Stars and greater investment in youth development.
