President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns about the rapid transfer of promising Ghanaian footballers abroad, warning that the trend is weakening the quality and competitiveness of Ghana’s domestic league.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, during a courtesy visit by Medeama Sporting Club, Nations Football Club and Ampem Darkoa Ladies at the Jubilee House, President Mahama said Ghana must find ways to keep talented young players in the domestic league for longer.
“We are too fast to sell our players. As soon as a player starts to show some promise, the scouts pick him and take him away. It depletes the local league. We must see how we can keep them a bit longer,” the President said.
President Mahama argued that promising players should first receive opportunities to develop through the domestic league and national teams before making the move to foreign clubs.
He said Ghana should allow young talents to gain international experience and mature before transferring them abroad.
“We must find a way to keep our talented players a little longer, give them opportunities in the national team, allow them to gain international experience, and then let them move abroad after they have matured,” he said.
Mahama Calls for Revival of Colts Football
The President also called for the revival of Ghana’s Colts League, which he described as an important pathway for identifying and nurturing young football talent.
Mahama said the decline of the traditional Colts system had created a gap in grassroots talent development and urged the Ghana Football Association to restore the competition to prominence.
“We used to have a very good Colts League. I do not know what happened to it,” he said.
Although the system has been renamed grassroots football, the President argued that the traditional Colts identity should be retained.
“I hear it has been renamed grassroots football, but we all knew it as Colts. So, call it the Colts League, and let us all help to sponsor it,” he added.
Concerns Over Domestic League Quality
Mahama’s comments come amid broader concerns about the competitiveness and attractiveness of Ghana’s domestic football competitions.
The President also criticised the standard of refereeing, saying perceptions of predetermined results were discouraging spectators from attending league matches and affecting clubs’ gate revenues.
He urged the Ghana Referees Association and the Ghana Football Association to work together to improve officiating and restore confidence in the league.
“Every match must be fairly officiated so that whoever wins does so on merit,” Mahama said.
The President’s remarks underline the need for Ghana to develop a stronger domestic football ecosystem capable of producing players, retaining them for meaningful periods and preparing them for international careers.
Financial Support for Ghanaian Clubs
The meeting also resulted in financial support for Ghanaian clubs preparing for continental competition.
Medeama Sporting Club received GH¢342,000, Nations Football Club received GH¢228,000, while Ampem Darkoa Ladies received GH¢114,000 from the Sports Development Fund.
The combined GH¢684,000 support is intended to assist the clubs with their respective continental and regional campaigns.
President Mahama urged the clubs to perform strongly and help restore Ghana’s reputation in African club football.
His comments on player transfers, grassroots development, refereeing and club financing point to a broader push to strengthen Ghana’s football structure from the grassroots through to the senior national teams.
GhanaMedia.net will continue to follow developments involving the domestic league, the Ghana Football Association and the government’s sports-development initiatives.
