Second Vice Chairman of the National Juvenile Committee (NJC), Samuel Anim Addo, has called on Technical Director Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah to prioritize the mental health of Ghana’s young footballers by appointing a dedicated psychologist for the country’s juvenile national teams.
Speaking at a strategic stakeholders’ meeting with the NJC, Technical Directorate, National Teams Department, and juvenile team coaches, Anim Addo highlighted the intense psychological pressures faced by young players representing Ghana. “These boys and girls are under immense pressure at a young age,” he said. “Beyond tactics and physical training, they need professional psychological support to handle expectations and transitions.”
Anim Addo stressed that a psychologist is vital not only for players’ mental well-being but also for their long-term development and performance. “If we want resilient players who can progress to the senior national teams, we must address their mental health now. A psychologist should be as essential as a coach or physiotherapist,” he urged.
The proposal aligns with global trends in football, where sports psychology is increasingly recognized as crucial for developing elite youth athletes. As the Ghana Football Association (GFA) works to bolster juvenile football, Anim Addo’s call underscores the need for a holistic approach to nurturing the nation’s future stars.
