Prez Mahama promises support for Ghanaian clubs competing in Africa

President John Dramani Mahama has pledged assistance to Ghanaian football clubs participating in continental competitions through a new Sports Development Fund. During a meeting with Ghanaian clubs at the Presidency, the President highlighted that football serves as a powerful tool for enhancing the nation's image, as it has helped Ghanaian clubs and football legends gain international recognition.

He reminisced about Ghanaian clubs' dominance in African soccer, particularly Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, but expressed concern over the decline in the country's football fortunes in recent years.

Mahama emphasized the necessity for Ghana to rebuild robust clubs capable of competing and winning major continental trophies. He commended private individuals who contribute financially to football clubs and acknowledged the financial challenges faced by the teams. The government has established the Sports Development Fund to aid both national teams and Ghanaian clubs qualifying for continental competitions, though the fund is still in its nascent stage and has limited resources.

Nonetheless, the President assured the clubs that as the fund expands, the government will provide more substantial support.

The President expressed optimism regarding the clubs' performance in this year's continental competitions, urging greater focus and investment in women's football. He pointed out that Ghanaian women's national teams have won more trophies than their male counterparts, yet more funds are often directed towards men's football. Mahama called for efforts to identify and nurture young football talents, lamenting the decline of the Colts football system, which once played a significant role in developing young players.

He urged the Ghana Football Association to explain the current state of the Colts League and emphasized the need for stakeholders to prioritize the development of young talents to restore Ghana's football fortunes.