Elvis Afriyie Ankrah urges football authorities to revisit youth development strategies

Published on: 30 October 2024

Former Minister for Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has called for a renewed focus on nurturing young football talents in Ghana.

He emphasised the importance of developing these players to ensure a seamless transition to the senior national team, especially in light of the Black Stars' recent poor performances.

Afriyie Ankrah expressed concern over the lack of effective pathways for players moving from youth teams to the Black Stars. He noted that the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) failure to promote players from the youth ranks has hindered the country's football progress.

“There is a noticeable absence of players who have featured at under-17 and under-20 levels in the current Black Stars squad,” he said. “This gap is one reason why the Black Stars have been struggling.”

Afriyie Ankrah pointed out that successful nations often have robust systems for transitioning young talent into their senior teams. He referenced how players like Dede Ayew and others made their way up through the ranks, highlighting the need for Ghana to replicate such models.

He further stressed that talent should be nurtured based on performance, competence, and capability rather than connections or favoritism within the football hierarchy. “If we want to see better results, we must be objective and prioritize the country's interests above personal agendas,” he added.

The former minister's remarks come at a crucial time when fans and stakeholders are calling for changes in how young players are developed and integrated into the national setup.

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