The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set to undergo significant reforms following a series of poor performances by the national team, the Black Stars. The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has issued a seven-point directive aimed at improving the governance of football in the country. This move comes after the Black Stars' disappointing performance in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they lost 2-0 to Ivory Coast and 4-2 to The Gambia.
The GFA's struggles have led to the departure of Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz, who exited after just 111 days across two separate stints in 2026. His departure was attributed to reported issues with player interference and chaotic hotel logistics. The GFA has hired seven coaches in seven years, raising concerns about the team's technical direction. The Ministry's intervention aims to address these issues and improve the team's performance.
The Ministry's directives include the dissolution of the entire Black Stars technical team and existing management committees. A new National Technical Management Committee will be established, comprising two government-appointed experts and two GFA nominees. The Ministry will also have three seats on the five-member coaching search committee to ensure that the GFA does not appoint unsuitable candidates.
A key aspect of the Ministry's intervention is a mandatory, FIFA-standard cooperation agreement that the GFA must sign. This agreement will give the Ministry greater control over the national team's operations, including funding and logistics. The GFA will no longer have autonomy over the team's affairs, with the Ministry having a greater say in decision-making.
Sports Minister Kofi Adams has emphasized that the Ministry cannot dissolve the GFA due to its status as a private registered entity. However, the Ministry provides funding for the national teams and will not tolerate a lack of accountability. The GFA's poor performance has led to widespread criticism, with many calling for reforms.
The Ministry's intervention has been seen as a necessary step to address the GFA's shortcomings. The GFA's leadership, including Kurt Okraku, has been handed a new set of marching orders aimed at improving the team's performance. The era of treating the national team as a private goldmine is coming to an end, with the Ministry seeking to ensure greater accountability and transparency.
The reforms aim to improve the governance of football in Ghana and ensure that the national team is run in a more professional and accountable manner. The Ministry's directives are a significant step towards achieving this goal, and it remains to be seen how the GFA will respond to these changes. The Black Stars' next performances will be closely watched to assess the impact of these reforms.
Key points
- Ministry issues 7 directives to reform football governance in Ghana
- GFA faces overhaul with new National Technical Management Committee
- Mandatory cooperation agreement to give Ministry greater control over national team operations
