President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, has welcomed changes to the Ghana Premier League hierarchy as non-traditional and young clubs continue to excel in the face of floundering fortunes of traditional clubs.
He said this in his speech when 2023-2024 Ghana Premier League season champions, FC Samartex 1996, paid a courtesy call on him after winning the title.
Samartex, competing in the topflight in just its second year, will represent Ghana in the CAF Champions League after winning the league title and will play Cameroon’s Victoria United in the first round.
Speaking on the rise of clubs like Samartex in light of Medeama SC winning the 2022-2023 league, President Akufo-Addo welcomed the change of the guard.
“We were all very excited when this season as unfolding and watching your rise and emergence but it is good that we have some diversity from the traditional arrangements in Ghana football that we all grew up in. It’s good the new teams are coming to the fore.”
“Medeama the last year, you (Samartex) this year, I think it’s very healthy for Ghana football and it is a vitality and revitalization of our football that we should all try and sustain.”
Samartex finished 10th in its debut campaign in the Ghana Premier League. League heavyweights Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak finished sixth and 14th respectively.
