Ghana’s sporting problems will not be solved simply by appointing high-profile coaches, according to National Sports Authority (NSA) acting Director-General Prof Emmanuel Osei Sarpong.
He says the country must instead focus on long-term planning, infrastructure and the systematic development of athletes.
Prof Osei Sarpong was speaking as pressure grows over the performance of Ghana’s national teams, including the Black Stars, who began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with defeats by Ivory Coast and The Gambia.
Ghana lost 2-0 to Ivory Coast before a 4-2 defeat by The Gambia, results which have led to renewed calls for changes in football administration and a review of the country’s player development system.
Speaking to Citi Sports, Prof Osei Sarpong said the problems facing Ghanaian sport went beyond the appointment of coaches. He identified weaknesses in long-term planning, coordination between institutions and investment in athlete development.
“Our problem with Ghana sports, not football alone, has been long-term planning, long-term development of athletes,” he said.
He called for the NSA, the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and national sports federations to work more closely on a coordinated talent-identification programme.
His proposal would see promising athletes identified at the age of 12 and placed on a six-year development pathway, giving them the opportunity to reach elite level by the age of 18.
However, he said identifying talent would only be effective if it was supported by sustained funding, structured coaching and access to suitable facilities. Those elements, he argued, were essential to creating a dependable pipeline of athletes capable of competing at the highest level.
Prof Osei Sarpong also questioned Ghana’s dependence on foreign specialists, particularly in football. He suggested that some of the money used to recruit overseas professionals could instead be invested in training Ghanaian coaches and sports experts.
“As we speak now, there is no Ghanaian who is qualified as a fitness trainer, strength and conditioning coach, specifically for football,” he said.
“Why can’t you use that money to develop some coaches in Ghana so that they will become multipliers of their knowledge?”
He said sustainable progress would require continued investment in infrastructure, training equipment and programmes supporting athletes throughout their careers.
The acting NSA director also described the creation of the Grassroots Sports Secretariat as an important development in establishing a formal system for identifying and nurturing young talent.
He cited France’s National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP) as an example Ghana could study. Prof Osei Sarpong visited the institute in September to examine its approach to athlete development.
INSEP trains elite French athletes and also attracts competitors from other countries. Prof Osei Sarpong believes a similar model, adapted to Ghana’s circumstances and backed by cooperation among sports institutions, could help the country produce athletes capable of competing internationally.
