Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, adds his voice to concerns about the state of football in Ghana, denouncing it as a “mess” and endorsing a recent protest aimed at demanding structural reforms in the country’s football sector.
The protest, drawing thousands of participants, is slated to march to the Ghana Football Association’s headquarters and Parliament to deliver a petition outlining grievances and demands for change.
Speaking on the AM Show on Joy News, Ablakwa expresses solidarity with the protesters, stating, “I am fully supportive. I wanted to join them earlier, but they mentioned that they would present their petition to Parliament, so I will join the Speaker to receive the petition.”
Highlighting issues such as the intercepted $8.5 million budget for the Black Stars at the AFCON and the lack of FIFA-standard pitches and a sports policy, Ablakwa emphasizes the dire state of Ghanaian football, asserting, “I am fully supportive. I wanted to join them earlier, but they mentioned that they would present their petition to Parliament, so I will join the Speaker to receive the petition.”
He continued, “Remember that I intercepted the document, the $8.5m budget [for the Black Stars at the AFCON]. Considering the vast amount going into football and the lack of FIFA-standard pitches and a sports policy, Ghanaian football is in a dire state, which we cannot accept. I wholeheartedly endorse the SaveGhanaFootball protest.”
Amid Ghana’s disappointing performance in the AFCON tournament, questions regarding football management and its future trajectory have gained prominence, fueling calls for significant reforms.
