Former Hearts of Oak and Liberty Professionals forward Bernard Arthur has called on retired and former professional footballers to join forces to promote the Ghana Premier League (GPL), insisting that the domestic competition possesses considerable quality that deserves greater recognition.
Arthur believes former players have an important role to play in changing public perceptions of the league and encouraging more Ghanaians to follow and support local football.
Speaking to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) media, the former forward admitted that he once shared the negative perception held by some football followers about the standard of the domestic league. However, he said his opinion changed after he began following the competition more closely.
“All ex-footballers must come together to promote the GPL. There is so much quality in the league. When I wasn’t following it, I also believed it was a poor league, but my perception changed when I started following it,” Arthur said.
His comments highlight the importance of personal experience in assessing the standard of the Ghana Premier League. According to Arthur, following the competition has helped him recognise the quality available among the players and teams competing in the domestic top flight.
He believes former footballers can help bridge the gap between the league and supporters by using their experience, influence and understanding of the game to highlight the positive aspects of Ghanaian football.
Arthur further stressed that promoting the league should not be left to the GFA, club administrators or active players alone. He wants former players to take collective responsibility for building confidence in the competition and encouraging greater public interest.
“We must project the league, we must love it. This is what we have, and we must support it,” he added.
The former Hearts of Oak and Liberty Professionals attacker also emphasised the need for Ghanaians to embrace their domestic football rather than dismissing it without following the matches and appreciating the quality on display.
His appeal comes amid ongoing efforts to increase interest in the Ghana Premier League and strengthen support for local clubs. Greater engagement from former players could help draw attention to emerging talents, improve the league’s public image and encourage fans to attend matches and follow their teams.
Arthur’s message is ultimately a call for collective responsibility, urging former footballers to become advocates for the competition and help create a stronger culture of support for Ghanaian football.
He believes that recognising the quality within the league and actively promoting it are important steps towards improving its image and attracting more supporters.
