Former Ghana International Emmanual Agyemang-Badu is calling for a return to grassroots development in order to nurture talented players and ensure a consistent flow of top players to the elite divisions.
Agyemang-Badu pointed to the successful model being used by the Right to Dream Academy, which has produced talented players such as Mohammed Kudus, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Ernest Nuamah for European clubs and the Black Stars. He believes that the Ghana Football Association and the government should replicate this model.
He emphasized the importance of talent identification and development as a key component of Ghana’s overall football development. Agyemang-Badu suggested that the Ghana FA establish a talent identification office staffed by former players to help identify talents for the national coaches.
He also called for the creation of a national academy modeled after successful academies run by retired Black Stars players. Agyemang-Badu highlighted the need for strong national teams and emphasized the importance of identifying and nurturing talents at a young age.
He commended the FA’s U-15 catch-them-young policy and expressed optimism that it will lead to strong national teams in the future. Agyemang-Badu also advocated for talents from nationwide scouting to be groomed over time at the GFA’s Technical Centre at Prampram, just as in the past when Ghana dominated Under-17 and Under-20 competitions.
Agyemang-Badu’s call for a return to grassroots development comes at a time when the performance of Ghana’s national teams has been under scrutiny. By prioritizing talent identification and nurturing young players, Ghana may be able to regain its status as a powerhouse in African football.
Source: Graphic Sports
