Former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to intensify efforts to identify and nurture dual-nationality players at an early stage to help strengthen the various national teams for the future.
The former Chelsea star was part of a delegation assembled by the GFA and Coach Hene Club to engage with Ghanaian talents born in the United Kingdom as part of a renewed strategy to integrate foreign-born players into Ghana’s football structure.
Speaking at the Ghana High Commission in London, Essien stressed the importance of building relationships with young players before rival nations secure their commitment.
According to the former Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder, competition for diaspora talents has become increasingly fierce, making early engagement essential for Ghana’s long-term success.
“Representing your country is a huge honour. We just have to get them young if we can and look after them so they can represent their roots,” Essien said.
His remarks come amid ongoing discussions surrounding nationality switches, with Ghana having previously lost several eligible foreign-born players to European national teams.
