Ghana Parliament Minority demands accountability and reforms after Black Stars crisis

The Minority in Parliament has called for a comprehensive reset of Ghana football following the Black Stars poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.In a press statement signed by the Ranking Member of Parliaments Youth and Sports Committee, Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Minority said the recent results point to deeper structural and administrative problems that require urgent attention.The Black Stars have lost their opening two Group C matches, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Cte dIvoire in Bouak before surrendering a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. Ghana are currently bottom of the group without a point.The Minority also noted that Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON after completing the previous qualifying campaign without a win. The statement said the Black Stars have now gone eight consecutive AFCON qualifying matches without a victory, with their last win coming against the Central African Republic in September 2023.The group said the situation should not be reduced to the performance of current head coach Carlos Queiroz, arguing that Ghanas difficulties predate his appointment.Changing coaches without examining the structures within which successive technical teams operate risks repeating the same cycle, the Minority said.It called for scrutiny of the entire football administration, including the Ghana Football Association, the technical management of the national teams and the oversight responsibilities of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.The Minority wants answers on player selection, technical planning, scouting, national team preparation, expenditure, youth development and Ghanas long-term football strategy.Among its proposed measures is an independent technical and administrative audit of the Black Stars and the structures supporting the national teams.It also called for a review of the GFAs governance and accountability framework, including decision-making, technical appointments and performance assessment.The statement further called for a transparent review of player identification and selection based on merit, current form, tactical requirements and commitment to the national team.It also wants greater transparency over expenditure on the Black Stars, a long-term national football development plan, increased investment in juvenile football, academies, school football and the domestic leagues, as well as efforts to rebuild public confidence in the national team.On the GFA leadership, the Minority said growing public concerns cannot simply be dismissed, particularly with the Black Stars failure to win an AFCON qualifier since September 2023.The leadership of the GFA must account for its stewardship, the decisions taken during this period and the outcomes produced, the statement said.The Minority, however, cautioned that any institutional changes must comply with Ghanas legal framework as well as applicable FIFA and CAF requirements.It concluded that Ghana football needs more than another coaching change and called for accountability, competent administration, technical discipline and sustained investment from the grassroots to the senior national team.