Poor Coaching Is the Ghana Premier League’s Biggest Problem — Ken Bediako

Veteran Ghanaian sports journalist and football historian Ken Bediako has identified poor coaching, rather than a lack of talent, as the biggest challenge facing the Ghana Premier League and the country’s football development.

Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Kafui Dey, Bediako dismissed suggestions that Ghana is short of talented footballers, insisting the real problem lies in the inability to properly identify and develop young players.

“There’s a lot of talent in Ghana.”

When asked whether the struggles of the domestic league are due to poor coaching or a lack of talent, Bediako acknowledged that both may be factors but ultimately placed greater responsibility on coaching.

He argued that quality coaches should be able to spot promising players and nurture them into top-level footballers.

“The Coach must be able to detect talent and help grow the player.”

According to Bediako, Ghana’s football system has drifted away from long-term player development in favour of seeking quick results, a trend he believes has weakened the domestic game and, ultimately, the Black Stars.

The veteran journalist pointed to former Black Stars coach C.K. Gyamfi as an example of the type of coach Ghana needs to develop talented players.

“He trained so many players.”

Bediako said coaches of Gyamfi’s generation left a clear imprint on their teams by building players and instilling a recognizable style of play.

He expressed hope that Ghana’s recent investment in youth football, particularly at the Under-17 level, would help produce a new generation of homegrown talent capable of strengthening both the Ghana Premier League and the national team.

“It’s just a matter of pushing them up.”

Bediako maintained that improving coaching standards and investing in player development are essential if Ghana is to restore the quality and competitiveness of its domestic league.