Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Technical Director Francis Oti Akenteng has called for greater recognition and respect for Ghanaian coaches, insisting that several local tacticians have the ability to lead the senior national team, the Black Stars.
Oti Akenteng believes the continued tendency to overlook homegrown coaches in favour of foreign alternatives sends the wrong message to local technical professionals and could discourage them from pursuing the opportunity to manage the national team.
“There are local coaches who are capable of coaching the Black Stars. If they are always overlooked, that is a sign of disrespect, and if the local coaches are not respected, they will not have an interest in coaching,” he said.
His comments have reignited the debate over Ghana’s preference for foreign coaches and whether the country’s domestic coaching fraternity is receiving adequate opportunities to lead the national team.
Ghana has appointed several foreign managers over the years, while local coaches have also had opportunities to take charge of the Black Stars. However, questions about the criteria used in selecting national team coaches continue to generate discussion among football stakeholders.
Oti Akenteng’s position highlights the need for the GFA to give qualified Ghanaian coaches serious consideration when making appointments, particularly as the country seeks to build a sustainable football development structure.
Providing local coaches with opportunities at the highest level could also strengthen the domestic coaching system, improve professional development and encourage more Ghanaian tacticians to pursue the required qualifications and experience
For Oti Akenteng, respecting local coaches is not simply about nationality but also about recognising their competence and ensuring they receive a fair opportunity to compete for one of the most prestigious jobs in Ghanaian football.
