The Ministry of Sports and Recreation in Ghana has instructed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to dissolve the current technical team of the Black Stars, the country's national football team. This move is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at improving the team's performance. The directive was issued following a high-level meeting between the Ministry and the GFA Executive Council on October 2, 2026.
The meeting, which lasted over two hours, was held against the backdrop of Ghana's challenging start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The Black Stars suffered a 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on October 1, 2026, which led to the mutual agreement to end the working relationship between head coach Carlos Queiroz and the GFA.
Ghana's difficult start to the qualifying campaign includes a 2-0 defeat to Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké, leaving the team without a point from their first two matches. The proposed changes are expected to go beyond the technical team, with the existing national team management committees also anticipated to be dissolved. A new National Technical Management Committee is to be introduced, and changes will be made to the management structures overseeing Ghana's various national teams.
The Ministry's directive is one of seven measures aimed at restructuring Ghana's national teams. The changes are intended to improve the team's performance and increase government participation in key decisions. The government has agreed to have three representatives join a technical search committee that will be involved in the appointment of the next Black Stars head coach.
The move to increase government participation in the appointment of the head coach is significant, given the government's involvement in funding the national teams. However, the Sports Ministry has clarified that it does not intend to dissolve the Ghana Football Association itself, as it is a legally registered association. Sports Minister Kofi Adams has previously stated that the government does not have the authority to dissolve the GFA.
The focus of the restructuring efforts appears to be on revamping the national team setup and increasing government participation in key decisions, while leaving the GFA as the country's football governing body. The GFA is expected to work with the proposed structures as Ghana begins the search for a new Black Stars head coach and looks to revive its 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
The latest developments have come amid growing calls from sections of the public and football stakeholders for major changes to the administration of Ghana football. The restructuring efforts are aimed at improving the performance of the national teams and increasing transparency in the management of Ghana football.
Key points
- The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has directed the GFA to dissolve the current Black Stars technical team as part of a broader restructuring effort.
- The proposed changes will go beyond the technical team, with existing national team management committees also expected to be dissolved.
- The government will have three representatives on a technical search committee that will appoint the next Black Stars head coach.
