Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Ibrahim Saani Daara has expressed concern over the state of football in Ghana, citing the rare agreement between the country's political parties over concerns about the game. Speaking on Asempa FM, Daara pointed to criticism from both the parliamentary Minority and Majority, despite their frequent disagreements on national issues. He warned that this unity should serve as a warning to the country's football authorities.
Daara noted that the concerns raised in Parliament reflected issues that had already been discussed privately by several people within Ghana's football community. He argued that some football stakeholders had been reluctant to speak openly about the problems facing the game. According to Daara, the Minority's criticism exposed what football people should have been saying themselves.
The former GFA communications director also questioned the performance of Ghana's national youth teams and their ability to produce players capable of progressing to the senior national side. He expressed concern about the limited number of players progressing from the youth teams into the Black Stars. Daara claimed to have spoken to several people within the football community who shared his concerns about the youth teams' performances.
Daara called for greater honesty among football stakeholders when assessing the state of Ghana's national teams and the country's player-development system. He emphasized the need for football stakeholders to be truthful about the challenges facing the game. According to Daara, if stakeholders are not honest, they are not being honest with themselves.
His comments come at a time of growing scrutiny of Ghana's football administration following the Black Stars' difficult start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The Black Stars lost 2-0 to Ivory Coast in their opening Group C qualifier. This result has increased pressure on the team to improve its position in the group.
The GFA is facing growing pressure to address concerns over the state of football in Ghana. Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams is expected to hold a crisis meeting with the GFA leadership to discuss the state of football in the country and the Black Stars' start to the AFCON qualifiers. This meeting is likely to focus on finding solutions to the challenges facing Ghana's football.
The Black Stars will face Gambia in Accra in their next qualifier, and a positive result is crucial to their chances of progressing in the competition. Daara's comments have added to the debate about the state of football in Ghana, and it remains to be seen how the GFA and other stakeholders will respond to the concerns raised.
Key points
- Ibrahim Saani Daara warns Ghana's football authorities to take concerns over the state of football seriously.
- The concerns raised in Parliament reflect issues that have already been discussed privately by several people within Ghana's football community.
- Daara calls for greater honesty among football stakeholders when assessing the state of Ghana's national teams and player-development system.
