Prampram: Mr Kofi Iddie Adams, the Minister for Sports and Recreation, has made an emphatic call for a structured development pathway in Ghana's youth football, emphasizing the need for a system focused on nurturing talent rather than relying solely on selection processes. Speaking at the Ghana Football Association's 32nd Ordinary Congress at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, Mr. Adams highlighted the collective role of administrators, clubs, coaches, players, and the media in rebuilding Ghanaian football.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Adams reflected on a time when Ghana had a clear system that cultivated generations of talented footballers who advanced through various national teams before joining the ranks of the Black Stars and senior women's teams. He emphasized the importance of returning to a structured approach that ensures a seamless progression of players through different levels of competition.
The Sports Minister stressed that modern football success relies on strategic planning and investment in several key areas, including talent identification, coaching, sports science, competition exposure, and the use of player data. He pointed out that deliberate transitions between age-group teams are essential for creating a competitive football ecosystem.
Mr. Adams urged the football community to focus on rebuilding the sport's foundations with a clear structure that supports player identification, development, progression, elite transition, and professionalism. He also noted that stronger domestic competitions would lead to improved performances by Ghana's national teams, cautioning against an over-reliance on foreign-based talent as a remedy for a weak local football system.