The Ghana Football Association has firmly rejected claims that the recent expansion of the Black Stars technical team represents an unnecessary financial burden, insisting the decision is a calculated investment aimed at improving the national team’s long-term performance and competitiveness.
The clarification follows public debate after the appointment of five additional backroom staff to work under head coach Otto Addo as Ghana prepares for upcoming international fixtures and the long road toward qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The move has drawn mixed reactions, with some sections of the public questioning the timing and cost implications of expanding the technical setup.
According to the FA, the decision was informed by internal technical reviews conducted after recent international campaigns, which identified gaps in preparation, performance monitoring, medical support, and match analysis. Officials believe addressing these gaps is essential if the Black Stars are to compete effectively at the highest level.
The association has explained that the new appointments are not ceremonial but are meant to strengthen specific operational areas that are increasingly critical in modern football. These include enhanced coaching support, detailed opponent analysis, player performance tracking, injury prevention, and recovery management.
GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum dismissed suggestions that the appointments amount to financial waste, describing such claims as unfair and uninformed. He stressed that the FA’s objective has never been to inflate expenditure, but rather to ensure the national team has the technical backing required to perform consistently.
“It is unfortunate for anyone to describe this as a waste of money. That has never been the goal of the FA,” he said, emphasizing that every role within the expanded team has a defined function tied to performance improvement.
Twum noted that football at the international level has evolved significantly, with success now dependent on more than just talent and tactical instruction. He argued that countries that continue to rely on minimal technical structures risk falling behind, especially during demanding qualification campaigns that require careful squad management and detailed planning.
He further explained that the appointments form part of broader reforms being implemented by the FA to modernize the national team setup. These reforms are aimed at ensuring that players receive the best possible support before, during, and after matches, while coaches are provided with accurate data to inform their decisions.
While acknowledging public concerns about expenditure, the FA insists that the cost of underinvestment could be far greater. Poor preparation, recurring injuries, and inconsistent performances, according to officials, often stem from weak technical support systems rather than a lack of talent.
The FA also pointed out that many successful national teams operate with large and highly specialized technical units. Sports scientists, performance analysts, medical experts, and tactical analysts have become standard components of elite football setups worldwide. In that context, the association argues that Ghana is aligning itself with accepted international standards rather than pursuing an extravagant path.
Twum urged supporters and stakeholders to exercise patience, noting that the impact of technical changes is rarely immediate. He explained that improvements in organisation, fitness levels, tactical discipline, and consistency tend to emerge gradually over time.
“In time, everyone will testify to the impact these additions will have on our progress,” he said during an interview with Akoma FM.
For head coach Otto Addo, the expanded technical team is expected to provide additional capacity, allowing him to focus more closely on tactical planning and player management. The FA believes this support will be particularly important during congested international windows, where preparation time is limited and decision-making margins are small.
The debate surrounding the technical team expansion reflects a broader tension within Ghanaian football between short-term expectations and long-term planning. While fans understandably demand immediate results, administrators argue that sustainable success requires investment in structures that may not deliver instant rewards.
As Ghana continues its preparations for upcoming international competitions, the performance of the Black Stars will ultimately shape public judgment of the FA’s strategy. Improved results and consistency are likely to validate the association’s approach, while setbacks may intensify scrutiny.
For now, the Ghana Football Association remains confident that strengthening the technical backbone of the Black Stars is the right step. The association maintains that progress at the international level demands modern systems, specialised expertise, and a willingness to invest beyond the touchline.
Whether the expanded technical team delivers the desired outcomes will be assessed in the months and years ahead. What the FA insists is clear, however, is that the move was made with the national interest in mind and with the belief that Ghanaian football must evolve to remain competitive on the global stage.
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