By Nana Adu
Ghana's Sports Ministry claims it has no role in the appointment of the next national team coach despite widespread reports of government support for ex-France captain Marcel Desailly.
The 1998 World Cup winner is said to be among the nine coaches shortlisted and has been heavily linked with the vacant Black Stars job.
But the ministry has been quick to rubbish those reports and said the Ghana FA has been given a free hand in finding a new coach.
''The ministry cannot impose, it can only suggest,'' Deputy Sports minister Nii Nortey Dua told Citi FM.
''Some people say we need a Ghanaian but we cannot insist on that. We can only suggest because we need a competent coach that is all. But if there is a Ghanaian who can do that job, why not?''
The Ghana Football Association has said it will name a new coach by 15 December.