Winning Fifth African Cup Title Should Be Our Priority – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the direction of Ghana football must be for the Black Stars to win the African Cup again as well as compete at the global football level.

He said his government was ready to give the necessary support to drive football so the Black Stars could win their fifth AFCON, which has been an elusive search since annexing the fourth title in 1982.

Answering a question posed him during his encounter with the media in relation to the senior national team, the President said:

“The direction of the country is to win the African Cup again. That is the direction we all want and beyond that is to compete at the global level.”

He however refused to share his view on the contract extension of Black Stars head coach, James Kwesi Appiah.

”Do I want Kwesi Appiah to stay? This is a difficult thing for me to answer. If I say yes, it is like I am putting pressure on the football association to renew his contract, and if I say no, then I know for sure they will not extend it. So let me keep away from answering this question.” he indicated. 

According to him, football-related issues should be handled by the GFA and the sports ministry as it was unethical for him to give directions on the implementation of football decisions in the country.

He stated that it was wrong for his government to interfere with football issues as politics should not be taken into football, hence he would leave everything to the stakeholders responsible for managing football issues.

He assured Ghanaians that the new GFA administration and the Sports Minister would make the right decision for Ghana in due time on the future of the Black Stars coach as they have the knowledge in deciding the best for the country.

The President also called on the GFA to come out with a strategic policy to help with a new direction of Ghana football in the country .