Former Ghana national football team coach, Charles Akonnor, has urged all stakeholders to take action to address the declining standards of football in the country.
Football in Ghana is currently facing significant challenges, with clubs struggling to make an impact both domestically and internationally. For the first time in two decades, the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Additionally, the Black Galaxies missed out on qualification for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a two-legged defeat to Nigeria.
Akonnor, who captained the Black Stars in four different AFCON tournaments, stressed the importance of unity in revitalizing the country’s football.
“We need to rise up to the occasion because things are falling apart. We talk of the national team which has not qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations,” Akonnor told Radio Gold Sports. He also pointed out the struggles of Ghanaian clubs, saying, “But when was the last time any of our clubs qualified for the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup? We need to rise up to the occasion. We can transform things, we can change it but we all have to get on board—not just the FA alone, all of us, especially you the media.”
Akonnor called on the media and all stakeholders to play their part in improving Ghanaian football, stating, “You need to help change things so that we can see ourselves at the top again.”
As Ghana looks to recover from its recent setbacks, the focus now shifts to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which will resume in March with home games against Chad and an away match against Madagascar.
