Former Ghana captain Andre Ayew says the government has shown a willingness to help restore the country’s football fortunes, but insists that better i
Former Ghana captain Andre Ayew says the government has shown a willingness to help restore the country’s football fortunes, but insists that better infrastructure, careful planning and accountability are needed to deliver lasting change.
Ayew believes the government’s financial support for Ghana Premier League clubs is a positive step, but says investment alone will not solve the problems facing the domestic game.
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, hosted by former Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel, the former Marseille and Swansea City forward identified poor infrastructure and the lack of a clear development strategy as major obstacles to progress.
“The biggest issue is the infrastructure. So if we don’t have the infrastructure, meaning that the planning is not right,” Ayew said.
His comments come amid continued concerns about the standard of the Ghana Premier League and the management of resources within Ghanaian football.
Ayew pointed to the government’s financial assistance to Premier League clubs as evidence of its commitment to the sport.
He said the reported allocation of GHS 1m to each club was an encouraging move, although he stressed that the money needed to form part of a broader strategy for developing the game.
“Already last year, the government gave, I think, each club, each Premier League club, $100,000 to start with, and that’s a sign that the government wants to help,” he said.
For the former Black Stars captain, however, the bigger question is how Ghana can turn financial support into meaningful improvements in football facilities, club development and the overall standard of the domestic competition.
Ayew also raised questions about the use of resources available to Ghana football, including funding provided through Fifa’s Forward programme.
He stopped short of making a specific allegation of financial misconduct, but argued that the country needed a clear plan for how football should develop and how available resources should support that ambition.
“What I think is that with that money or not, we need as a country, or as a federation, to try to have the plan with governments and officials, because without the government, it’s not possible,” he said.
His comments underline the importance of cooperation between the government and the Ghana Football Association (GFA), particularly in addressing the infrastructure and organisational challenges affecting the sport.
Ayew believes greater confidence in the management of football finances could encourage more people and businesses to invest in the game.
He said potential investors would be more willing to support Ghanaian football if they were confident that resources were being used effectively.
“I believe that if everybody’s confident that resources are going to be used the right way, I think a lot of people are going to invest in football,” he said.
Ghana has a long history of producing talented footballers, with the Black Stars enjoying success on the continental stage and representing the country at multiple Fifa World Cups.
But sustaining that reputation requires more than producing gifted players. Stronger facilities, effective administration and a clear pathway for developing talent are also essential.
Ayew’s message is that government support can provide a foundation for progress, but Ghana football will need a coordinated long-term plan to turn that commitment into results on and off the pitch.
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