Stephen Appiah, the former captain of the Black Stars, recently addressed the Parliamentary Select Committee for Sports, Culture, and Tourism, shedding light on the challenging conditions faced by youth national team coaches in Ghana.
He emphasized the seriousness of the issues at hand, particularly in relation to the U17, U20, and U23 coaching positions, which are often filled by dedicated individuals who receive minimal compensation.
“Such things happen. People do that at the U17 and I think we have to take these things very seriously,” Appiah stated, noting the sacrifices coaches make.
Many of them travel to locations like Pampram for months at a time, working tirelessly without a salary, relying only on allowances.
In stark contrast, he pointed out, coaches of the senior national team, the Black Stars, earn significantly higher salaries.
This disparity creates a troubling environment where youth coaches, lacking financial support, may feel compelled to accept illicit offers. “If I’m a youth national team coach and I’m not receiving a salary and an agent offers me an envelope to invite his player, I will take it,” he admitted candidly.
Appiah advocated for a restructuring of the coaching system, suggesting that while it may not be feasible for U17 coaches to earn as much as senior team coaches, it is vital to ensure they feel valued for their contributions. “We have to make them feel they are working and have to make something out of it,” he insisted.
His remarks highlight the urgent need for reform in the coaching landscape, where many feel overlooked despite their dedication.
“Some of them feel they are working and do not get anything; when people influence them with envelopes, they take it,” Appiah concluded, urging for a system that acknowledges and compensates the hard work of youth coaches, thereby fostering a more ethical and effective football culture in Ghana.
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