Poor Governance Blocking Investment in African Football, Ghana Sports Fund Administrator Warns
Ghana must invest in developing quality footballers and strengthening domestic competitions if it hopes to retain more talent and capture a greater share of the economic value generated by its players, Administrator of the Ghana Sports Fund, Dr David Kofi Wuaku, has said.
Dr Wuaku believes the country cannot build a sustainable football economy if promising players leave local clubs early while the facilities, competitions and commercial systems that could support their development remain inadequate.
Addressing the Africa Football Business Summit 2026 in Accra, he argued that investment must begin with the development of players, coaches and competitive domestic football before expectations of increased sponsorship, broadcasting revenue and fan attendance can be realised.
He questioned the low attendance at Ghanaian league matches and contrasted the resources available to the Black Stars’ predominantly overseas-based players with the conditions under which domestic football operates.
According to him, football’s commercial appeal depends substantially on the quality of the product presented to spectators and investors.
“Quality players attract investment,” Dr Wuaku stressed, arguing that Ghana must raise the standard of its players and league to attract stronger commercial interest.
He identified grassroots academies, specialist coaching, sports science, medical support and modern facilities as areas requiring sustained investment.
He also called for stronger club governance, audited accounts, professional management and better arrangements for commercialising media rights.
Dr Wuaku said clubs and academies that invest in developing players should benefit from transparent transfer arrangements, including training compensation and sell-on fees.
Such arrangements, he argued, could help clubs reinvest in talent development instead of continually losing the economic benefits of their investment when players move abroad.
The Ghana Sports Fund, established under the Ghana Sports Fund Act, 2025 (Act 1159), is mandated to support areas including grassroots sport, talent identification, infrastructure and athlete welfare.
Dr Wuaku’s position is that Ghana must create a football ecosystem in which players can develop in quality domestic competitions, clubs can operate sustainably and commercial partners have a compelling product in which to invest.
The challenge, therefore, extends beyond producing talented footballers. Ghana must build a domestic game strong enough to develop, showcase and derive lasting economic value from that talent.