President John Dramani Mahama has called for Ghana’s brightest young footballers to remain in the domestic league for longer, warning that their early departures are weakening the country’s local game.
Speaking on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by Nations FC, Medeama SC and Ampem Darkoa Ladies at Jubilee House, Mahama said talented players are being snapped up by scouts before they have the chance to develop fully in Ghana.
“We’re too fast to sell our players. As soon as a player starts to show some promise, then the scouts pick him and take him away. And so it depletes the local league,” he said.
The president argued that young players should be given more opportunities with Ghana’s national teams before moving abroad, saying international experience would help them mature and improve their prospects.
“We must see how we can keep them a bit longer. At least give them opportunities in the national team so that they get experience in playing on the international platform,” he added.
Mahama believes players who gain experience with the national teams will be better prepared for careers overseas when they eventually secure transfers.
“Eventually, the international scouts or our local scouts, they would have matured to a certain level and then we’ll take them away,” he said.
