The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has vowed to transform the Ghana Premier League (GPL) into one of the world’s elite divisions, following a sobering assessment of its current global standing.
The move comes after the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) ranked the Ghanaian top flight 100th in its latest world rankings.
While the GFA acknowledged the figure, officials insist the ranking is a catalyst for reform rather than a cause for despair.
GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum believes the league is ready to punch above its current weight.
Speaking to Citi Sports, Twum emphasised that the leadership is not shying away from the data but rather using it as a roadmap for development.
“Leadership is about solving problems,” Twum said. “Despite the challenges, we remain focused on improving the Ghana Premier League and ensuring it is rated among the best in the world.”
The GFA argues that the IFFHS ranking requires “context and careful evaluation,” suggesting that the raw numbers do not fully capture the league’s potential or its historical importance in African football.
To bridge the gap between Ghana and world football’s global elite, the Association has identified several critical pillars for immediate attention.
This strategy begins with elevating competition standards to meet international benchmarks while simultaneously upgrading stadium infrastructure across the country to improve the matchday experience.
Furthermore, the GFA is committed to enhancing visibility and branding through improved broadcasting rights and a stronger digital presence to reach a global audience.
Central to this transformation is a renewed focus on player welfare, ensuring better conditions for athletes to retain local talent, which in turn creates a more attractive commercial product for sponsors and investors.
The GPL has long been a conveyor belt for some of the world’s finest talent, producing icons such as Michael Essien and Abedi Pele.
However, in recent years, the league has struggled to keep pace with the commercial growth of rival leagues in North Africa and South Africa.
By targeting these systemic issues, the GFA aims to create a more resilient league that can attract higher levels of fan engagement and, crucially, the foreign investment needed to compete on the continental stage.
