Samuel Anim Addo outlines 3 key reforms to transform football as GFA president

Executive Council Member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), sports entrepreneur and manager of the Asamoah Gyan Brand, Samuel Anim Addo, has outlined three major reforms he would pursue if he were to lead Ghana’s football governing body, placing greater emphasis on grassroots development, professional competence and transparency. According to him, restoring the integrity and competitiveness of Ghana football would require structural reforms that strengthen player development, improve football administration and enhance confidence in the game’s judicial processes. Speaking on Joy FM’s Personality Profile with Lexis Bill on Thursday, August 6, Mr Anim Addo said his foremost priority would be to make participation in Ghana’s domestic football structure a prerequisite for players born in Ghana who aspire to represent the national teams.

“The first major thing I want to change is to make sure that if you want to play for the national team, you must play Colts football, especially if you are born in Ghana. If you don’t play Colts football, I won’t let you play. It’s regulations, because we are seeing a lot of half-baked players because people don’t go through the mill,” he said.

He argued that footballers should progress through recognised development pathways rather than seek shortcuts into the national teams, stressing that competitive local football helps build character, resilience and match temperament. Drawing a comparison with professional careers in other fields, he said success is built through gradual development and practical experience. “… a lot of people want to [jump in] to play for the national team.

They play one or two games; they want to play [for Ghana],” he observed. Mr Anim Addo also advocated stronger investment in academy football, insisting that youth academies should participate in organised league competitions to prepare players adequately for elite football. “Even if it’s an academy, the academy must participate in the Colts league so that boys who develop… build their temperament and their confidence,” he said, adding that competitive grassroots football remains the foundation of successful football nations.

Professionalise club administration The football administrator identified capacity building for club owners and administrators as another critical area requiring urgent attention. He said individuals should not be allowed to … He believes the move would strengthen the quality of talent emerging into elite football while restoring the country’s traditional player development pathway.

It’s a regulation because we are seeing a lot of half-baked players because people don’t go through the mill,” he said. According to him, the increasing tendency to fast-track players into elite football without passing through structured youth competitions is weakening the country’s football development model. Drawing parallels with professional careers in other sectors, Mr Anim Addo said lasting success is built through gradual learning and experience rather than shortcuts.