I would have dissolved the GFA if I were minister – Nii Lante Vanderpuye on AFCON failure

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has spoken out about Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The former minister believes a complete reset is the solution for Ghana, which has been in disarray over the last few years.

Ghana’s AFCON failure marks a new low, prompting administrators within the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to come up with quick fixes in an attempt to revive the fortunes of the four-time AFCON champions.

However, Vanderpuye is sceptical that these quick fixes will work. In an interview with PureSports, he explained that, had he been in government, he would have dissolved the GFA administration to enforce necessary reforms.

He acknowledged that government interference in football affairs would likely lead to a FIFA ban but argued that such action would ultimately benefit the country.

“If I were the minister, I would have dissolved the current GFA. I know FIFA would give us a six-month ban, but since Ghana is not going to the AFCON, we could use that period to restructure our national team and football,” he stated.

Vanderpuye further asserted that his leadership skills would have enabled him to make difficult decisions in the best interests of the nation.

“A good leader must not be scared of taking difficult decisions that are in the interest of the people. I would be harsher and tougher than before on the GFA because things are worse today in our football,” he told PureSports.

Under the current GFA administration, Ghana has experienced its worst performances in AFCON history, exiting the competition at the group stage in 2021 and 2023 without winning a single game. Following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, citizens are calling for reforms within the GFA.

FKA/EK