President Akufo-Addo Pledges Support and Unveils Visionary Football Policy to Revitalize Black Stars.

Written by Afua Amankwanowa 

President Nana Akuffo Addo reiterated his unwavering conviction in the authenticity of Black Stars' skipper Andre Ayew's apology following the team's lackluster performance at the 2023 AFCON. Ghana's inability to progress beyond the tournament's group stage, coupled with their failure to secure a single victory, exacerbated the disappointment stemming from their recent string of premature exits in major competitions, spanning two AFCONs and one World Cup.

Delivering his State of the Nation address on February 27, President Akufo-Addo candidly acknowledged the AFCON as a nadir in the Black Stars' performance, lamenting its impact on the nation's collective spirit. Despite this, he expressed firm belief in Ayew's sincerity as he conveyed heartfelt apologies on behalf of his teammates to all Ghanaians, emphasizing their shared determination to rectify the situation and restore national pride.

Furthermore, Akufo-Addo unveiled an ambitious plan to unveil a comprehensive presidential policy on football, aiming to uplift the Black Stars from their downward trajectory. This forward-looking strategy adopts a long-term perspective, focusing on talent identification and cultivation at the grassroots level. Under this initiative, the Ministry of Education's school sports department will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ghana Football Association to establish a structured framework for scouting, nurturing, and developing talent across districts, regions, and nationally. This holistic approach, encompassing both male and female youth players, underscores the government's commitment to revitalizing Ghana's footballing prowess and fostering a new era of success for the Black Stars.