Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has raised concerns about the declining state of football in Ghana, calling for urgent reforms to address the challenges plaguing the sport.

Speaking on Asempa FM, Nyantakyi lamented the lack of progress under the current GFA administration, led by Kurt Okraku, and highlighted the Black Stars’ recent struggles as a reflection of deeper systemic issues.

Ghana’s football glory has faded in recent years. The Black Stars suffered group-stage eliminations at both the 2021 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a historic low for the once-dominant team. Adding to the disappointment, the team failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco — a first in two decades.

“I believe all is not well with our football,” Nyantakyi stated. “During my time, we regularly reached the semifinals or finals of tournaments. Back then, Ghanaians even criticized us for not winning, saying reaching the semifinals was a financial loss to the country.”

He continued, “But now, we’ve failed to progress beyond the group stage in the last two AFCON tournaments, and worse still, we couldn’t even qualify this time. This clearly shows that something is wrong, and it must be fixed.”

Nyantakyi stressed the need for a comprehensive review of Ghana football, including the technical team, the GFA, and management structures, to identify and address the root causes of the decline.

The struggles extend beyond the AFCON stage. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Black Stars also suffered a group-stage exit, further dampening the morale of fans and stakeholders alike.