Sports
Ghana Black Stars’ call-up… Can we ever bridge gap between local, foreign-based?
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• Princeton-Owusu Ansah, a resilient
former AshantiGold and Ghana defender
Would the home-based players ever enjoy their moments in the senior national team, Black Stars, as they used to do in the 80s and the 90s? This is one question that has been dangling on the lips of local fans for some time now.
Getting a decent number of the so-called locals in the Black Stars, is one of the most contentious issues in Ghanaian football circles – and has over the years generated a gamut of controversy.
In West Africa, especially, the senior national teams are fully dominated by players who ply their trade outside of the country, especially in Europe.
Painfully or frustratingly somehow, this has come to stay. Question: Is it the right way to go?
Indeed, as far back as the 1990s, there was a strong agitation from the public; in fact, supporters virtually badgered on the FA at the time to include local players in the national team. Their contention was that some of the locals were streets ahead of their foreign counterparts.
The issue was even raised at one of the FA Congresses after which the FA decided to give about a 40 per cent slot to the locals, whilst their foreign colleagues had 60 per cent of the composition. This was evidenced at the 1992 African Cup of Nations tournament where the Black Stars paraded not less than nine home-based players.
We had goalkeepers Edward Ansah (Asante Kotoko), Salifu Ansah (Hearts of Oak) and Abukari Damba (Great Olympics). Also on board were Nii Darko Ankrah (Great Olympics), Emmnauel Ampiah (Asante Kotoko), Kwesi Appiah (Asante Kotoko), Frimpong Manso (Asante Kotoko), Emmanuel Armah (Hearts of Oak) and Mohammed Gargo (RTU).
In subsequent years, other locals like Obuasi Goldfields’ Princeton Owusu Ansah, goalkeeper Sammy Adjei, RTU’s Hamza Mohammed, Hearts’ utility player Sam Johnson and many others featured for the Stars.
But do not forget, too, that those were the halcyon days where we had some marquee names at the local scene – who week-in, week-out were attracting the crowd to the stadia with feet that tantalizingly drew gorgeous patterns on the pitch.
Later, we can also easily recollect names like Shamo Quaye, Joe Debrah, Ablade Kumah, Charles Taylor, Emmanuel Osei Kuffuor, Ishmael Addo (name them) that glowed the local scene to stupor.
Today, let us be honest with ourselves, how many locally-based materials do we have that can fiercely challenge the overseas-based players for their shirts? How many players out there in the league are gorgeously attractive enough to pull many to the stadium? Truth is that a good number of fans go to the stadium today not really because they are going to watch a superlative, swash-buckling performance from the locals, but attend games because of the emotional attachment to their clubs.
Sadly, even in situations where we are fortunate to have one or two dazzling performers in the local league, they jump to the next available ‘exodus bandwagon’ to seek greener pastures elsewhere – making it easy for the GFA or the national team coach to rely on the foreign legion, which are their preferred choice, anyway.
Evidently, it is against this backdrop that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in their own wisdom decided to introduce the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) tournament for the home-domiciled players, at least to encourage them to stay around and give the local league some thrill and excitement.
Latest Black Stars invitation
Indeed, there has been a whole lot of hullabaloo with regard to players who had recently switched nationality to play for the Black Stars. Personally, one does not see anything wrong about it. Question: Are they Ghanaians, yes! Are we looking to take a formidably winsome team to the World Cup in Qatar? Yes! Do we dream to go beyond quarter final in Qatar? Yes! So, what are we saying?
Though we qualified for Qatar, we must be honest enough to accept the fact that we do not have a very strong team, especially as regards our attacking unit and there is absolutely nothing wrong or unfair if that department is augmented? It is the reason many were thrilled that the football authorities were able to convince Inaki Williams, especially, to play for nation.
Some have argued that it is not fair for players, who did not take part in Ghana’s qualification journey, to shove off the main actors and make the Qatar cut. Well, there may be nothing to do about it. The world itself is unfair! Can we say all the players who qualified the Black Stars to their first World Cup in Germany 2006 – and the subsequent ones, got the opportunity to be in those tournaments.
See, we shall be the first people to condemn the FA if we go to the World Cup in Qatar with a ramshacle team and get flushed out in the very first round. We should not be sentimental about it, at all. Certainly, knowing the repercussions of what an early exit would mean to them, the FA may have decided to fall on those players to switch nationality.
Let us not forget that we are in a very tight group with Uruguay, South Korea and Portugal – and we need tested players for the Himalayan battles ahead.
Bridging the gap
The GFA may have to revisit its policy where a few slots of the local contingent would have a place in the Black Stars. So, in this vein, the FA Technical Team will be tasked to select, let us say the Most Potent Striker, Best Defender, Best Midfielder and Best Goalkeeper in the league to either fight for a place or be given an automatic choice.
It must be hammered home that sometimes, the kind of players we see in the Black Stars leaves much to be desired – and it is the reason many people think that the locals must be offered a slot.
BY JOHN VIGAH
In the midst of the storm that rocked professional boxing organisation almost a year ago, a decision was taken which is unprecedented in the annals of the sport in Ghana.
Following the death of a Nigerian boxer in a Ghanaian ring, the modus operandi of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) was questioned in various quarters.
Just when the storm appeared to have settled, another disaster struck. Ernest Akushey ‘Baubali’, a famous local boxer was lost to the icy hands of death, 10 clear days after a bout. It was such an unfortunate incident. May he keep resting in peace.
Even before the cause of death comes out, the GBA administration was put on the chopping board, and became a gum in the mouth of all. Almost everyone ‘chewed’ some.
Perhaps, considering the weight and ignominy of the incident, the mighty and powerful had to step in, taking major decisions to ensure some sanity in the sport.
Among the popular decisions arising out of this intervention was the call for sweeping reforms that led to the establishment of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) which has now assumed the role of the GBA because of the failure to organize elections to handover to an elected body because of the non-availability of funds.
The second was the last minute cancelation of a promotion to be staged by former boxer, Michael Nii Ayitey Okai, aka Ayittey Powers.
There appears to be some calm over the first decision as boxing stakeholders wait patiently, hoping that the IMC does the needful in no time.
But the latter, regarding the cancelation of the bout has continued, becoming a tango between the former boxer-now-turned promoter and the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Mr Yaw Ampofo Ankrah (YAA).
The Accra Regional Police Command this week arrested the veteran boxer, after he has reported himself at the station, over an alleged threat of death made against Mr. Ankrah after a video of him talking about the issue went viral.
A police statement said ‘Dada Powers’ was arrested in connection with an alleged threat made against the NSA boss.
Sadly, the circumstances under which the decision to cancel the promotion was made and the absence of a precedent to follow, have made a solution difficult to come by, a year after.
One remembers the back and forth about the decision as to whether the fight would be staged or not.
With assurances that the fight would go on, Powers claimed to have paid so much to boxers in terms of purses and other organizational expenditures, only for the NSA boss to drop the ill-fated announcement cancelling the promotion.
Since then, Dada Powers has seen the decision as a unilateral one from the NSA boss and has constantly blamed YAA for his present predicament. What is, however not clear is the form of compensation Powers is asking for.
As of now, one is at a loss whether he is seeking a refund of his expenditure or awaiting clearance to stage the fight.
If it were to be the latter, there would be no problem with that since boxing promotion has return in full force with the IMC sanctioning close or over 10 promotions.
This problem should not have arisen in the first place if that decision had been carefully thought through. If that was done, it would have found a way out of the mess it created for both parties.
Clearly, Powers is seeking for a sort of compensation which he has failed to communicate well. Despite the guidance from well-meaning people, he decides to sometimes use some ‘ring’ tactics to express his concerns.
If Powers is not aware, he must be advised that there are laws that governs every transaction or activity so no matter how legitimate his concerns may be, he is bound by the same laws to demand for justice in the right way.
Now in the custody of the police and latest reports suggesting the matter has ended up in court, the focus now shifts from the substantive matter to his behaviour that puts him in a bad light for a certain class of people.
Instead of seeing Yaw as an ‘enemy of progress,’ he must show an interest in working closely with him and others to find an amicable solution.
Maybe by extension, the decision to cancel that bout should be subjected to a probe – to know how it came about, it merits and demerits and whether it was in the best interest for Ghana boxing.
By Andrew Nortey
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With the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season set to kick off on September 4, clubs have continued to fine-tune their squads, with a number of late additions and free-agent deals shaping up ahead of the new campaign.
From established Premier League sides such as Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, Medeama, Aduana FC, FC Samartex and Berekum Chelsea to ambitious lower-tier clubs, there has been significant movement in the transfer market.
Here is a rundown of the notable deals involving Ghana Premier League clubs:
Medeama SC strengthen across the pitch
Medeama have been among the busiest clubs, adding depth in midfield, defence and attack. The Mauve and Yellows have brought in Etse Dogli from Heart of Lions on a three-year deal, while Emmanuel Boateng arrives from Eleven Wonders on a two-year contract. Dominic Frimpong, a free agent, has also joined to bolster the attack on a three-year deal. Other additions include Usman Safianu, Abdul Rahman Yaya, Emmanuel Annor from Nations FC, and winger Emmanuel Fobi, who arrives from Georgia’s Dila Gori on a three-year deal.
Medeama have also recruited Issah Ibrahim from Latvia, Sudanese goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid Salman, midfielder Blessing Kwabena Dwamena, Jelillu Osman from New Edubiase, Emmanuel Anokye from Sporting Club Accra, and right-back Ebenezer Adade from Dreams FC.
Port City FC add experience and attacking options
Port City have also been active, bringing in several players to strengthen their squad. Kwabena Adu Meider and Francis Gyetuah arrive as free agents, while Stephen Diyou joins from Hohoe United.
The club have also secured Gideon Waja from WAFA, Ishak Suraj from Lebanese side Al Ahly, free-agent defender Samuel Gyimah, goalkeeper Daniel Amissah on a two-year deal, and Elliot Affotey from Heart of Lions on a three-year contract. Daniel Osei Snr., a defensive midfielder from Hohoe United, completes another addition to the squad.
Hearts of Oak bring in several young talents
Hearts of Oak have invested heavily in young players, including a number of long-term deals. Abdul Aziz arrives from Swedru All Blacks on a three-year deal, while free agent Ebenezer Amoh joins on a two-year contract. The Phobians have also secured Rockson Kyeremeh and centre-back Manuel Osei Djan from PAC Academy, both on five-year contracts.
Other arrivals include Caleb Koranteng from Victory Club Warriors, Alex Banso from Namoro FC, free-agent right-back Prince Amevor, goalkeeper Vicente Anane, Ivorian forward Mamadou Kader Kourouma, and free-agent defensive midfielder Dominic Nsobila.
Swedru All Blacks continue recruitment drive
Swedru All Blacks have added a sizeable group of players. Among them are Mohammed Musah Salifu from Tamale City, David Lartey from Dreams Chasers, Prince Arthur and Kelvin Ampoful from Nations FC, and winger Samuel Osei Kofi from Nsuopun Fidelity.
Free agent Faisal Chawetey, forward Vincent Baah Jnr from Tema Faith, centre-back Michael Abrokwa from Nations FC, forward John Ahuma Ocansey, midfielder Godfred Yartey from Cheetah FC, winger Andy Koramoah from Auroras, right-back Kojo Quansah from Samartex, and defender Latif Blessing from Cheetah FC have also joined.
Samartex add four
FC Samartex have strengthened with four additions. Ebenezer Okrah and Prince Affum arrive from Sefwi All Stars, while Joshua Fuseini joins from Golden Kick. Meshack Adjetey Sowah also arrives from Vision FC on a three-year deal.
Aduana FC bolster defence and attack
Aduana FC have brought in several players, including free agent Shawkan Hunalf Mohammed, defensive midfielder Samuel Tenedu from Berekum Chelsea, and centre-back Boa-At Regain from Bechem United. They have also signed free agent Stephen Amankona, right-back Abdul Latif Mohammed from Victory Club Warriors, winger Emmanuel Abban from Bechem United, Zakaria Fuseini from Techiman Liberty Youth, and free-agent left-back Bismark Anim on a two-year deal.
AshantiGold make international additions
FC Ashantigold have recruited from both Ghana and abroad. Raphael Kodjo Etchonou arrives from ESA Academy in Togo, while Burkina Faso defender Ben Yamine Nassirou Kabore joins from Etoile Filante. The club have also signed free-agent right-back Kamal Suraje on a three-year deal and goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, also on a three-year contract.
Other additions include Fatao Seidu, Sirinu Huzaifah from Skyy FC, Saddick Ibrahim Abubakar from Skyy, Ishmael Acquah from Skyy, William Addo from Unity FC, free-agent winger Alhassan Benny, and goalkeeper Thomas Kwabena Osei from Heart of Lions.
Gold Stars add attacking firepower
Gold Stars have brought in Nicholas Amekpewu from Elmina Sharks on a three-year deal, while centre-back Claude Shooting Bortey arrives as a free agent. They have also signed Kwame Opoku, another free agent, on a two-year deal.
Heart of Lions build new-look squad
Heart of Lions have also been busy, with several free-agent signings. Francis Odoom from Hohoe United joins on a two-year deal, alongside centre-back Abdul Jalilu, goalkeeper Edmund Wireko, winger William Oduro, centre-back Pius Baffuor, winger Sena Ati, and forward Mustapha Yakubu. Stephen Afoakwa from Faith Football Academy is another addition.
Other notable movements
Berekum Chelsea have recruited forward Jamal Haruna on a three-year deal, while Diawisie Taylor, Awuah Dramani, Chyereme Shadirac, Fuseini Zakaria, goalkeeper Zulka Massawudu, and Augustine Boakye have also joined.
At Asante Kotoko SC, goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim arrives on a two-year deal, while the Porcupine Warriors have also added Emmanuel Mamah, Ivorian centre-back Koffi Marius Ange Bini, free agent Isaac Opoku Agyemang, Burkina Faso midfielder Abdoul Kader Tarnagda, Cameroonian midfielder Solomon Nsor Asaah, Moroccan goalkeeper Abdel Wadie Mourad, and Albanian defender Umar Ali from Partizani.
Karela United have signed Wisdom Jonas Manyina from RTU on a three-year deal, alongside Frank Ackom from Nsuopun Fidelity, Iddi Mahfuz, Edmund Afurapoe from Eleven Wonders, goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, Angel Ewulla, Collins Ntiful from Okwawu United, Issah Abdul Basit from Golden Warriors, forward Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli, Ebenezer Amegah from Hohoe United, and free-agent forward Prince Opoku Agyemang. Vision FC have also added Kwadwo Boamah from Hohoe United and Faruk Mohammed from Nations FC.
The final preparations begin
With the transfer deadline now passed and the Ghana Premier League scheduled to begin on September 4, attention will turn from recruitment to preparation.
The sheer volume of movement suggests that several clubs will enter the new campaign with significantly different squads. For coaches, the immediate challenge will be turning these new arrivals into cohesive teams before the opening whistle of the new Premier League season.
