We are quick to sell our local players – President Mahama

Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama has urged the nation's top footballers to delay their international departures, expressing concern that their early exits are weakening the local game. During a recent meeting with representatives from Nations FC, Medeama SC and Ampem Darkoa Ladies at Jubilee House, Mahama highlighted that talented players are being swiftly recruited by scouts, even before they have had ample time to develop their skills within Ghana's domestic league.

"We’re too quick to sell our players," he cautioned, noting that once a promising player catches the eye of scouts, they are immediately taken away, which ultimately diminishes the strength of the local league. Mahama proposed that young players should be afforded more opportunities to represent Ghana's national team prior to their international moves.

He argued that such experiences would enable them to mature and enhance their chances of success abroad. "They should be given the chance to play for the national team, thereby gaining experience at the international level," he emphasized. The president believes that players who accumulate international experience through national team participation will be better prepared for their eventual transfers.

"Eventually, whether it's the international scouts or our own local scouts, they will have matured sufficiently, and then we will take them away," Mahama concluded.