Dear Ghanaians, brothers and sisters, warm greetings.
Anyone familiar with Ghana’s glorious football history and the immense potential of the Black Stars cannot help but be deeply concerned about the current decline of our national team. As a patriotic citizen, a passionate football enthusiast, and a firm believer in Ghana’s rich football heritage, I share that concern.
Following the Black Stars’ failure to make an impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, against a backdrop of disappointments dating back to 1983 and particularly since the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, I recently wrote a piece titled “A Call for Urgent Reform: Resetting Ghana Football and Restoring National Pride”.
In that article, I offered what I believe were practical recommendations for restoring Ghana football to its former glory.
I was therefore surprised when I came across a news report quoting President John Dramani Mahama as saying:
«”If we persuade Carlos Queiroz to stay, I am sure we can win the next AFCON or World Cup.”»
That statement immediately raised several questions in my mind:
1. Who exactly did the President mean by “we”?
2. How deep is the President’s understanding of Ghana football and sports in general?
3. Who is advising the President on football matters?
4. Is the President fully aware of Ghana’s football history, achievements, and the coaches behind those successes?
5. Why should Ghana persuade an expensive 73-year-old foreign coach, who is already at retirement age, to remain in charge?
6. Is the President aware that Carlos Queiroz was appointed coach of Colombia in February 2019 but was dismissed in December 2020?
7. Is he fully aware of the remarkable achievements of Ghanaian coaches throughout our football history?
8. Is this reported position supported by the historical record of trophies won by foreign coaches for Ghana?
To answer these questions, I revisited the coaching history of Ghana football.
From the appointment of the British coach George Ainsley in 1958, through legendary Ghanaian coaches such as Charles Kumi (C.K.) In 2026, Ghana has appointed 48 national team coaches, including Gyamfi, Fred Osam-Duodu, and Emmanuel Kwasi Afranie, as well as foreign coaches including Rudi Gutendorf, Burkhard Ziese, Otto Pfister, and Carlos Queiroz.
Of these appointments, 27 have been foreign coaches, while 21 have been Ghanaian coaches. However, some Ghanaian appointments, including Sellas Tetteh and Maxwell Konadu, were only in caretaker capacities.
In substantive terms, Ghanaian coaches have led the Black Stars only 18 times, compared with 27 appointments for foreign coaches.
This makes it important to compare achievements rather than simply the number of appointments.
Ghana’s Football Success Story
Ghana’s national football teams have won 13 major international trophies:
– Black Stars – 4 Africa Cup of Nations titles.
– Black Satellites – FIFA U-20 World Cup (1) and Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (4).
– Black Starlets – FIFA U-17 World Cup (2) and WAFU competitions (2).
Remarkably, every one of these major international trophies was won under Ghanaian coaches, with only one exception: the 1991 FIFA U-17 World Cup won under German coach Otto Pfister.
Curious to know who history recognises as Ghana’s greatest football coach, I searched the available historical records. The answer was clear: Charles Kumi (C.K.) Gyamfi remains Ghana’s most successful football coach, having guided the Black Stars to three Africa Cup of Nations titles in 1963, 1965, and 1982. No other coach has matched that achievement.
These facts raise an important question.
If you were the President of Ghana, the Minister for Sports, or the President of the Ghana Football Association, and your only objective was to restore the Black Stars to greatness based on proven historical success, would you choose another foreign coach or would you place your confidence in a capable Ghanaian coach?
History strongly suggests that Ghanaian coaches have consistently delivered the nation’s greatest football achievements.
Why then should the President, the Sports Minister, and the Ghana Football Association appear determined to persuade a 73-year-old foreign coach to remain in charge? Should the President of the Republic have to appeal publicly to a coach whom Ghana already pays to lead the national team?
In my opinion, something has gone wrong with our football leadership and our decision-making process.
If Ghana must appoint a foreign coach, my preferred choice would be the former Morocco coach Walid Regragui, whom I recommended previously when Ghana was searching for a new coach after Otto Addo’s tenure. Otherwise, I strongly believe capable Ghanaian coaches are more than qualified to lead the Black Stars.
Indeed, Ghana could even appoint two or three experienced local coaches to work together in the national interest. With patriotism, commitment, technical competence, and pride, I believe they would exceed expectations.
Finally, I have heard reports that André “Dede” Ayew is considering contesting for the position of President of the Ghana Football Association in the future. If that is indeed true, I wholeheartedly encourage him to do so.
Ghana needs young football minds with passion, patriotism, commitment, leadership, and a deep understanding of the game to help transform football administration in our country. Dede Ayew possesses the experience, credibility, and football knowledge to contribute meaningfully to the future of Ghana football. He would certainly have my full support.
Thank you for your time and kind attention.
