Sports
Pushing for greater visibility for Ghana football
New Ghana Premier League champions, Samartex
Football is more than just a sport.
In Ghana, the love and passion for football is undeniable. Without doubt, it is the most prominent sport in the country. Football development is crucial for the nation’s progress because it has the capacity to boosts the various local economies.
It is for this reason that institutions in society, especially the media must play active roles in its development and promotion in Ghana.
In the early days of Ghanaian football, newspapers such as the Gold Coast Gazette, Commercial Intelligencer, and The Accra Herald extensively covered local matches and players, and many others to boost the players’ profiles.
As football’s popularity surged, coverage expanded with papers like the Daily Graphic, The Ghanaian Times, and Ghana Sports featuring match reports, player profiles, and analyses, which provided a platform for local talent to shine.
However, examining the current state of local football in Ghana’s media landscape reveals a decline in coverage. This underrepresentation negatively impacts the already struggling local football in Ghana.
First and foremost, the lack of media attention discourages young talents because it would be difficult for them to be noticed by coaches and agents.
In an interview with Joshua, a division three player at Play like a Pro Academy, revealed that playing football in Ghana was not easy and local players face several obstacles.
He said, “One of the biggest challenges is that we don’t get recognised. We play well, but no one knows about it.”
Also, Giovanni Frank Gyan, a 25-year old professional footballer who currently plays for the Future Soccer Academy, underscored the importance of media coverage in marketing their skills.
He said it was unfortunate the Ghanaian media was focused on promoting foreign football stars instead of the local talents, explaining that while they look up to foreign players as role models, the local media should focus more on promoting young and upcoming footballers like himself.
The impact extends beyond players, affecting numerous local coaches as well. These coaches, who are key stakeholders in the industry and play a crucial role in nurturing talent for the sport’s development, often become discouraged from continuing their careers because their efforts are insufficiently recognised by the Ghanaian media.
The current state of local football coverage calls for immediate and concerted action.
‘Professor’ Enock Kwesi Wallace, Head of Sports at Adom FM and a seasoned Sports Journalist with Asempa FM, shared this view on the challenges facing local football and the measures necessary to promote its reportage in Ghana.
According to him, the media’s selection of football stories is guided by journalism ethics and values, prominence, proximity, and national issues.
Prof. Wallace further emphasised that the media is a commercial entity that attracts sponsors, and added that it is not their responsibility to seek sponsors for local sports men and women.
Instead, he suggested that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and local teams should make themselves more accessible; utilise various stakeholders; advertise; and implement e-ticketing to promote themselves.
To increase visibility and accessibility, Mr Wallace further proposed partnership with churches, as seen in Nigeria and Congo Brazzaville, where football clubs were established by churches. This innovative approach, he said, can bridge the gap between local sports and the community.
In essence, promoting local football requires a collective effort from all stakeholders; the media, GFA and sponsors. These stakeholders must work together to give local football teams the recognition they deserve.
In conclusion, the underrepresentation of local football in the media poses a significant national concern that demands urgent action. Therefore, the media must assume the essential responsibility of delivering regular, thorough, and captivating football coverage. It is crucial for all stakeholders to unite in backing our local football talents, ensuring that the sport flourishes for future generations.
*The author is a student of the University of Media, Arts and Communication- Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ) Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies.
Email: a.augustina020@gmail.com
By Augustina Dede Anang
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
