Former Hearts of Oak midfielder Frederick Ansah Botchway has called on football club managers to prioritise player welfare, warning that poor treatment of players remains a major reason clubs struggle to retain top talent.
Speaking in an interview with Michael Danku, CEO of Dekay Media, Ansah Botchway stressed that clubs with ambitions of winning leagues and trophies must invest in their players, both financially and emotionally.
According to him, when players feel valued and well cared for, they are more motivated to give their best on the pitch.
He revealed that during his time at Hearts of Oak, several players received very low remuneration despite their significant contributions to the club’s success.
Ansah Botchway disclosed that some players in the Ghanaian league earn as little as GH₵400, a situation he described as deeply demoralising.
“Clubs have the capacity to do better for their players. If you want success, you must treat players well. It’s a win-win for everyone,” he said.
Recounting his departure from Hearts of Oak, the former midfielder clarified that he did not leave the club because he was unwilling to renew his contract.
Rather, he explained that “the approach and attitude of certain management members pushed him out.” He mentioned Vincent Sowah-Odotei and Alhaji Braimah Akambi as individuals whose handling of his contract situation made him feel unwanted.
“The club did not approach me properly to renew my contract. If you want a player to stay, there is a way to go about it. When they called me, it was about going on loan and they asked me to think about it,” he recounted.
Ansah Botchway described the situation as a recurring problem at the club, noting that poor communication and lack of respect have driven several players away over the years.
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Touching on national team selection, the former Hearts midfielder expressed his readiness to represent Ghana and argued that many locally based players are capable of competing at the highest level.
However, he lamented that selectors often focus more on players plying their trade in Europe, sometimes overlooking quality talent in the domestic league.
He concluded by urging football administrators to rethink how players are treated, insisting that sustainable success in Ghanaian football depends largely on improved player welfare and fair management practices.
AM
Meanwhile, watch as NDC MPs and party leadership pay tribute to late Naser Toure Mahama
