The owner of King Faisal Football Club, Alhaji Karim Grusah, has called for the appointment of Nii Lante Vanderpuye as Ghana’s Sports and Recreation Minister, highlighting his vast experience in sports and football administration.
Speaking during an interview, Alhaji Grusah commended Vanderpuye’s contributions to Ghana’s sports sector, particularly during his tenure as a Sports Minister. “We all saw the good works of Nii Lante Vanderpuye when he became Sports Minister,” Grusah remarked.
He further revealed that former President John Agyekum Kufuor considered appointing Vanderpuye as Sports Minister, underscoring his deep roots in sports. Grusah noted that Vanderpuye’s background as a sports commentator and administrator makes him the ideal candidate to help Ghana’s football regain its lost glory.
“I think he should be appointed the Sports Minister so that our football can find its lost glory,” he added.
Alhaji Grusah’s call comes amidst ongoing discussions about the state of football in Ghana and the need for transformative leadership to restore confidence and elevate the game to its former heights.
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has yet to appoint a Minister for the newly created Sports and Recreation Ministry. Several names have been suggested by the football community, but the President has yet to appoint a minister.
Hon. Vanderpuye, previously led the sports ministry from 2015 to 2016 under John Mahama after having served as deputy minister at the Trade and Local Government ministries.
Ghana football has declined from its glory days to a period of setbacks, with various sectors of the sport, including the national teams—such as the Black Satellites, Black Queens, and Black Stars—facing challenges.
The Black Stars, in particular, failed to qualify for the upcoming AFCON in Morocco after not securing a single win in their qualifiers. This situation has sparked calls for appointing a well-equipped Sports Minister capable of revitalizing the nation’s football and restoring it to its former glory.
Hon. Mustapha Ussif serves as the Minister of Sports, with Hon. Evans Opoku Bobie as the Deputy Minister and Alhaji Hafiz Adam as the Chief Director. However, based on the current state of football administration in Ghana, it is evident that the minister has not met expectations in addressing the challenges facing Ghana football.
The Ghana football under Hon.Mustapha’s administration failed to win silver wears for the country which proves how the national teams displayed under his watch.
