Former Minister for Youth and Sports, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has pledged a significant transformation of Ghana sports in 2025 under the National Democratic of Congress (NDC) administration.
This commitment follows the disappointing 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) exit by the senior national team, the Black Stars and the decline of the domestic league under the leadership of Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku.
In an exclusive interview with Citi Sports, Nii Lante Vanderpuye expressed his frustration at the recent decline in Ghana football, asserting that the government lacks the determination to scrutinize those currently involved in the game.
“I know this particular government will not have the willpower to undertake this serious and drastic decisions with regard to our football.”
“In 2025, there will be a drastic change in our sports, we will change our football, we will change the way we run our football in Ghana.”
“We will change how our leagues are run in the country, I am not bragging, but for the little discussions we’ve had, on the way forward for our sports, I believe our manifesto will have a clear cut as to how to go with Ghana football.”
The Black Stars, at the time of writing, lack a substantive head coach after parting ways with Chris Hughton due to a disappointing performance at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Ghana Football Association has formed a 5-member search committee headed by Vice President Mark Addo to announce Hughton’s successor in the coming days.
The Ghana Football Association wishes to announce that Chris Hughton has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the senior National team with immediate effect.https://t.co/MjDiKZZfPV
— 🇬🇭 Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) January 23, 2024
Under Hughton, Ghana secured three points by beating Madagascar 1-0 but lost 1-0 to Comoros in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Black Stars will assemble in June for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central Africa Republic.
GFA announces road map to hire next Black Stars coach and appoints a five-member search committee https://t.co/F5LGbZgWLy
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) January 25, 2024
Various names, including former German Coach Jurgen Kohler and France’s U-21 Women’s Coach Herve Renard, have surfaced as potential candidates to take the job.