Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye
Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has made candid remarks about the decline of Ghana football and outlined how he intends to address the issues if he assumes office again.
A video of him expressing his frustrations has gone viral, resonating with some Ghanaians’ concerns about the state of football in the country and potential solutions.
In an interview with Pure FM, the former Member of Parliament for the Odododiodio Constituency stated emphatically that he would dissolve the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
He acknowledged that such an action would result in Ghana being suspended by FIFA for six months but argued that this period would be an opportunity to restructure Ghana’s football.
“I will dissolve the GFA,” he said.
When reminded that this would trigger FIFA sanctions, he responded: “And so what? Have we qualified for the World Cup? Have we qualified for AFCON? No. This is the time to dissolve it. They will suspend us for six months, so we will use that period to prepare and build a team for the next qualification.”
He expressed concerns about the GFA scapegoating coaches after Ghana’s failures while allowing administrators to retain their positions.
“Ask yourself why we allow the GFA to sack coaches after every failure. What is happening in Ghana football is such that even if you appoint Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, or anyone else, without changing the structure, they will fail.”
Vanderpuye also alleged that the current Black Stars setup operates on personal interests, with players being selected through lobbying.
“The Black Stars is full of ‘people’s players.’ These players are not there for Ghana; they are there because someone lobbied for them to be called up. Their priority is not the national team but their managers and personal gain. People do this to increase their players’ market value for sales, and the nation suffers for it.”
He also highlighted corruption in the local league, narrating an incident involving bribery and match-fixing.
“I spoke to some referees, and one told me he was instructed to show a Kotoko player a yellow card because someone had placed a bet on it. This is how our football is being run today. Do you think if I were the minister, I would sit and watch this happen?”
Nii Lante Vanderpuye served as Ghana’s Sports Minister from 2015 to 2017. His tenure was characterized by strict measures, leading to a strained relationship with the then-GFA President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, who refused to engage in meetings with him.
Watch the video below
BREAKING NEWS:
GHANA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION WILL BE ON RESET…..This is good news—
Charlotte Osei Prince David Osei 3y3 Zu The NDC NPP MPs Paul Adom Otchere Annor Dompreh Captain Smart Dome Kwabenya Nana Addo Baba Sadiq Ghana Police Ghana Gas Mahama Randy Abbey after 7th pic.twitter.com/CYuFxjIZmc— Yawa (@sent_voice66150) December 10, 2024
EE/EK
