Former Black Stars midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu says the sorry state of Ghana football is evident.
He expressed this sentiment as he endorsed the #SaveGhanaFootball demonstration, which aims to advocate for positive changes in the sport.
The protest, aimed at seeking reforms to revive Ghana football, took place on February 14, 2024. The protesters submitted a 15-point petition to Ghana’s lawmakers suggesting ways to ‘save Ghana football’
Agyemang-Badu, renowned for his role in Ghana’s U-20 World Cup triumph in 2009, believes the demonstration is a step in the right direction.
“Have you seen Tamale Park,” he quizzed on UTV referring to the substandard state of sports facilities.
“We need to seek answers to some of these questions. The demonstrators didn’t go there to attack anyone. There are suggesting things that are very important for football and I support them.
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The former Udinese midfielder highlighted the importance of investing in grassroots football, drawing on his personal experience of being discovered through interschool competitions.
“I was discovered by a teacher through interschools. So what is wrong if someone says invest in inter-school football?”
“Most of us including Samuel Inkoom, Abeiku Quansah, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari Asamoah Gyan and many more are all finished products from grassroots football. So I think it is a great idea to suggest the investment into grassroots football.”
He explained how the systematic transition benefitted his generation when he [Badu] alongside Inkoom and Andre Ayew Among others replaced smoothly the likes of Muntari, Michael Essien and Paintsil.
“After 15 years of winning the U-20 World Cup, where is our team?
“So if people are suggesting 15 points [referring to the petition of the #SaveGhanaFootball leaders] to make football better, what is wrong with that?”
“Our football is in tatters and anybody who says otherwise is a liar. Our only source of joy now is the Black Queens. All other national teams have nothing to write home about currently.”
The #SaveGhanaFootball demonstration began at Obra Spot at Kwame Nkrumah Circle and concluded at Black Stars Square. The march culminated in the submission of a petition to the Speaker of Parliament. The protest was triggered by the poor performances of various national teams, including the Black Stars’ disappointing showing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana finished third in their group, failing to win a single game and exiting in the first round of the competition. This marked the third consecutive group stage elimination following disappointments at the 2021 AFCON and the 2022 World Cup.