Former National Sports Authority Board Chairman Seth Panwum Boyoyo has expressed concerns about the safety and welfare of Ghana's Black Starlets Under-17 football team, who traveled by road to Burkina Faso for the 2026 WAFU Zone B Championship. The team covered a distance of about 960 kilometers from Ghana to Ouagadougou, a journey that took over 20 hours by bus. Boyoyo questioned the decision to send the teenage players on such a lengthy road trip, suggesting that air travel would have been a safer and more suitable option.
The Black Starlets had spent four days training at the Winkogo Technical Centre in Bolgatanga before embarking on the road trip to Burkina Faso. Boyoyo argued that the welfare of the Black Starlets deserves particular attention, as the Under-17 team represents the foundation of Ghana's football development system. He emphasized that exposing young players to what he considers an unnecessary travel risk could undermine the country's long-term football development.
Boyoyo also questioned the role of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation in the decision, arguing that journalists should demand answers from the government over the arrangements made for the junior national team. He pointed to security challenges beyond Ghana's borders, referencing the 2010 attack on the Togolese national team in Angola as an example of the potential risks football teams can face while traveling.
The former NSA Board Chairman challenged the authorities to consider whether they would make the same transportation decision if the players were their own children. He asked, "In private life, will the sports minister allow his kids to go to Burkina Faso by road?" Boyoyo's concerns come amid wider questions about the safety of road travel through parts of the Sahel region.
The Black Starlets' journey has attracted attention due to its length and the timing of the trip. The team had returned from Morocco just days earlier, playing two friendly matches against the hosts, winning the first 2-0 and losing the second 2-1. The Ghana Football Association confirmed that the Black Starlets will open their WAFU Zone B campaign against Togo on October 10 at the 4th August Sports Stadium in Ouagadougou.
The competition serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, with the two finalists earning qualification for the continental tournament. The Black Starlets will face Benin on October 13 and complete their group-stage campaign against hosts Burkina Faso on October 16. Fortunately, the team arrived safely in Ouagadougou with no reported security incidents during the journey.
The Black Starlets' road trip has sparked a wider debate about the safety and welfare of young athletes in Ghanaian football. As the team prepares for the WAFU Zone B Championship, stakeholders are reflecting on the importance of prioritizing the well-being and safety of young players. The incident has highlighted the need for careful planning and consideration when organizing travel arrangements for junior national teams.
Key points
- Former NSA chief Seth Panwum Boyoyo questions Ghana's decision to send the Black Starlets to Burkina Faso by road.
- The 20-hour road journey from Ghana to Burkina Faso has raised concerns about the safety and welfare of the teenage players.
- The Black Starlets will play in the 2026 WAFU Zone B Championship, which also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
