Former Ghana national team coach and current Head of Sporting Affairs at Asante Kotoko, Kwesi Appiah, has urged President-elect John Dramani Mahama to focus on investing in youth football as he prepares to take office on January 7, 2025. Appiah emphasized the critical need to prioritize grassroots development to secure the future of football in Ghana. He noted that neglecting this aspect could lead to a shortage of talent in the long run. "We must invest in the developmental level now," Appiah said in an interview, highlighting the importance of nurturing young players to take over from the current generation. Without such investment, he warned, Ghana risks being reliant solely on the present talent pool without building for the future.
Appiah also expressed concern over the Black Stars’ absence from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, marking the first time in two decades they will not be competing. He pointed out that this absence underscored the need for a stronger focus on youth development to ensure such setbacks are less likely in the future. "Our challenge is not just about winning today," he said. "It’s about ensuring we have players coming through who can represent Ghana well in the years ahead." With this in mind, Appiah urged Mahama to implement policies and initiatives that support youth development, emphasizing that these would be vital for the country’s football future.
As the nation prepares for Mahama’s inauguration, Appiah’s call for investment in youth football resonates deeply with the broader football community in Ghana. Appiah believes that without a deliberate focus on nurturing young talent, Ghana could face prolonged struggles in competitions like AFCON. “We need to think long-term,” he concluded, “not just about winning today but about building a sustainable future for football in Ghana.” His advice to Mahama is seen as a critical step towards revitalizing the sport and ensuring that Ghana remains competitive on the continental stage.
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