Government has no input in Black Stars player call-ups – Kofi Adams

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has rejected claims that government officials or external actors influence player selection for the Black Stars.

His comments come after Ghana’s disappointing early exit from the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Black Stars reached the knockout stage for the first time since 2010 before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.

Speaking in an interview with Joy News, Mr Adams insisted that the roles and responsibilities within Ghana football are clearly defined, with player selection falling solely under the authority of the national team head coach.

He stressed that ministers have no mandate to choose players for the national team, explaining that such decisions are the responsibility of the technical team.

“You have a duty to let them know that the work of a minister is not to [select players],” the Buem MP said.

According to him, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation’s responsibility is to provide policy direction, support the development of the sector and collaborate with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on key administrative issues, including the appointment of the Black Stars coach.

Mr Adams maintained that once a coach is appointed, all technical decisions, including squad selection and team tactics, must remain within the coach’s jurisdiction.

“The work of a minister is to work with the FA to appoint a coach who has a responsibility to make sure he selects the players; that’s why he is paid. That’s why we have the FA, that’s why we have the coach.”

The Sports Minister argued that allowing political figures to influence team selection would weaken the authority of the technical team and defeat the purpose of hiring professional coaches.

He added that accountability for the national team’s performances can only be achieved when coaches are allowed to take full responsibility for football-related decisions.

“If we want the minister to select the players, then there should be no coach again. So the minister will select the players, and we don’t have to pay the coach to do that.”

Despite reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 16 years, Ghana’s tournament ended with elimination at the Round of 32. The Black Stars will now turn their attention to preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.