Former Ghana Premier League star Yahaya Mohammed has voiced his disappointment over what he perceives as a sharp decline in the league’s allure, a problem he attributes to insufficient player incentives, lackluster broadcasting, and an inability to attract sponsors.
His remarks come as the Ghana Premier League (GPL) remains without a headline sponsor after betPawa withdrew its support partway through the last season, leaving Ghana’s top football division in a precarious position.
In a recent interview with Asempa FM, the former Ghana international voiced concerns over player incentives, broadcasting quality, and overall league marketing, factors he believes are driving both sponsors and players away from Ghana’s top flight.
“Today, sponsors are not interested because the Premier League is unattractive,” Mohammed said. “During my time, major brands were eager to back the league, and I remember Coca-Cola even expressed interest in sponsoring the GHALCA Top Four tournament.”
According to Mohammed, Ghanaian players are now seeking opportunities in leagues such as Rwanda’s and Ethiopia’s, where clubs offer better financial packages. “Players are interested in playing in Rwanda and Ethiopia because of the better incentives they receive there, unlike what they earn in the Ghana Premier League,” he remarked.
Mohammed also pointed to poor television coverage as a significant deterrent for potential investors. He emphasized that high-quality broadcasts are crucial for a professional league’s image and are often a deciding factor for corporate sponsors. “The television coverage for the league is not good enough, and all these things push away the corporate world from investing and sponsoring the Premier League,” he added.
The Ghana Premier League, currently without a headline sponsor after betPawa’s withdrawal, faces a pivotal moment in its pursuit to regain appeal and attract support from corporate entities and international investors.
