The Ghana National Under-17 team, the Black Starlets, will participate in the WAFU Zone B under-17 tournament taking place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from October 10-23, 2026. The team is currently en route to the tournament, having traveled by road from Prampram to Bolga, and will continue on to Ouagadougou. This mode of transportation has raised concerns about the team's safety, given the long distance and potential security risks.
The distance from Accra to Ouagadougou is estimated at 960km by road, which is a significant journey for a team of young players. According to Seth Panwum Boyoyo, former NSA Board Chair, it is expected that the team would be transported by air, considering the distance and the prestige of the team. However, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) decided to transport the team by bus, which has been criticized as a bad decision.
The security challenges of traveling within Ghana can be contained by the state security apparatus, but the same may not be the case with trips outside the country's territorial boundaries. The Sahel region, where Burkina Faso is located, has experienced insurgency and militant group activities, posing a risk to travelers. The recent massacre of tomato sellers and traders along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border is a reminder of the security concerns in the area.
The decision to subject the under-17 team to a road journey has been compared to a similar incident in 2010, when the Togo national team was attacked while traveling by road from Congo Brazzaville to Cabinda in Angola. The incident resulted in tragedy, and it has been argued that Ghana has failed to learn from history. The GFA's decision has been criticized as insensitive and careless, putting the young players at risk.
The treatment of junior national teams, including the Black Starlets, has been a concern under the current GFA leadership, headed by Kurt Okraku. The arrangements for travel, accommodation, feeding, and logistics have been criticized as inadequate. This has been reflected in the progression of players from junior national teams to the senior national team, which has stagnated in recent years.
Since Kurt Okraku ascended to the presidency of the GFA in 2019, only one player, Fatawu Issahaku, has progressed from the Under-17 team to the Black Stars. The GFA's approach to developing young players has been questioned, with allegations of favoritism and neglect of talented players. The current situation has led to calls for a rescue, reset, or re-engineering of the football system.
The Black Starlets' journey to the WAFU Zone B under-17 tournament has highlighted the challenges facing Ghana's football system, particularly in the development of young players. The team's safety and well-being are paramount, and the GFA's decision to transport them by road has raised concerns. The incident has sparked a national conversation about the treatment of junior national teams and the need for reform in Ghana's football administration.
Key points
- The Black Starlets are traveling to the WAFU Zone B under-17 tournament by road, sparking concerns about their safety.
- The GFA's decision to transport the team by bus has been criticized as insensitive and careless.
- The treatment of junior national teams, including the Black Starlets, has been a concern under the current GFA leadership.
