Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has criticized the Ghana Football Association (GFA), asserting that its current structure undermines the success of any coach in charge of the Black Stars.
Speaking in an interview with Pure FM, the Member of Parliament for the Odododiodio constituency blamed the GFA for the senior national team’s recent failures, including their inability to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Vanderpuye believes the GFA’s inefficiencies are central to Ghana football’s woes and suggested drastic reforms to rebuild the nation’s football structures.
“If I were the Sports Minister, I would disband the GFA,” Vanderpuye declared. “We are not going to be at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“FIFA will suspend us for six months, and we’ll use that time to fix things and build a strong team for the next AFCON qualifiers.”
He also criticized the lack of accountability within the GFA, questioning why coaches are always scapegoated after the Black Stars fail to meet expectations.
“Why should we always sit and allow the GFA to sack the coach when the Black Stars fail? The problem is deeper than the coach,” he stated.
Vanderpuye went on to argue that even the best managers in world football, like Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp, would struggle under the current system.
“What is going on in Ghana football is so problematic that even if you hire Pep Guardiola or Jürgen Klopp, we will still fail unless the structure is fixed,” he explained.
He further alleged that favoritism and poor management are major hindrances, saying, “We’ve created a structure where one person decides which players are called up, appoints the coach, and even controls the ball boys and team doctor.
How can the Black Stars succeed under such circumstances?” The Black Stars’ dismal performance in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers saw them finish bottom of Group E, securing just three points in a group with Angola, Sudan, and Niger.
