Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, former Minister of Youth and Sports, has attributed the struggles of top Ghanaian clubs, such as Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, to the operations of football academies in the country.
He claims these academies prioritize business over the broader development of the local game.
Speaking to Kumasi-based Pure FM, Vanderpuye criticized academy clubs for refusing to sell talented players to domestic teams, citing financial reasons as a primary barrier. He explained that academies often demand hefty transfer fees and higher wages, pricing out local clubs.
“The academy clubs are denying top clubs like Kotoko and Hearts the opportunity to acquire talented players. They do it for their businesses, but Colts football is open to everyone,” Vanderpuye said.
He further argued that true football development lies in the revival of Colts football—a grassroots system that nurtures young talent and feeds them into the domestic league.
“The real development of our football is not the academy but rather the Colts football league,” Vanderpuye added.
The outgoing Member of Parliament for Odododiodio emphasized the need for a stronger focus on grassroots football to restore the competitive edge of Ghana’s premier clubs, which have been struggling to perform both locally and internationally.
