Former Ghana captain Andre Ayew says government funding can help revive the country’s football, but only if it is backed by long-term planning, better infrastructure and transparent management of resources.
Ayew welcomed the government’s decision to provide financial assistance to clubs in the Ghana Premier League, describing it as evidence of a willingness to support the sport.
However, the former Black Stars captain believes football authorities must work with government officials to produce a clear strategy for tackling the domestic game’s problems and delivering lasting improvements.
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, hosted by former Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel, Ayew said inadequate infrastructure was one of the main barriers to Ghana’s football development.
“The biggest issue is the infrastructure. So if we don’t have the infrastructure, meaning that the planning is not right,” he said.
The quality of the Ghana Premier League and the management of football finances have faced increased scrutiny, leading to calls for reform of the domestic competition.
Ayew argued that financial investment would not, by itself, transform the sport. He said clubs and players also needed the facilities and organised development structure required to make effective use of that support.
The former Marseille and Swansea City forward also questioned how football funding was being spent, including money made available through Fifa’s Forward programme.
“But is the money there? So when we talk about the money, from what I know, from my information, we know that you have a Fifa Forward… What it is used [for], we don’t know. That’s not the matter,” Ayew said.
He said the priority should be a coordinated plan involving the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the government and other relevant officials.
“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.”
Ayew pointed to government assistance for Ghana Premier League clubs last year as a sign of positive intent.
“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 added.
The funding was intended to help clubs meet the demands of competing in Ghana’s top-flight competition.
Ayew said continued progress would depend on confidence in the way football finances were handled. Greater transparency and better prioritisation of available funds, he suggested, could also encourage further investment from individuals and businesses.
“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.
In Ayew’s view, government involvement, effective financial management and long-term planning must be combined if Ghana is to strengthen its domestic football structure.
