The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has called for a complete overhaul of Ghana football following the Black Stars’ poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Ghana suffered consecutive defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, losing 2-0 in Bouaké before surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 at home. The results leave the Black Stars without a point from their opening two Group C matches.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 1, SWAG described the continued decline of the Black Stars and Ghana’s national teams as a “paralysing terror” for Ghanaians.
The association says the crisis goes beyond the senior national team, citing Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, the stagnation of the junior national teams and what it describes as a decline in tactical identity and competitiveness.
SWAG argues that repeated coaching changes have failed to address the underlying problems and is calling for structural reforms rather than “cosmetic band-aids.”
The association wants appointments to the national teams to be based on competence, proven track records and technical ability rather than political patronage.
It is also calling for the local leagues to be restructured to strengthen player development and create a clearer pathway from youth football to the senior national teams.
SWAG is further demanding greater accountability at all levels of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), calling on the leadership to reverse the fortunes of the national teams or step aside.
If the GFA leadership fails to do so, SWAG proposes handing the management of Ghana’s national teams to an independent Public Interest Committee.
The statement comes on the same day the GFA and Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz mutually agreed to terminate his contract following the team’s poor start to the AFCON qualifiers.
SWAG says the era of apologies and finger-pointing must end, with competence and accountability taking priority in the management of Ghana football.
