Supporters’ Unions Are a Novelty — Ken Bediako Explains the Origins of Ghana’s Organised Fan Groups

Veteran Ghanaian sports journalist and football historian Ken Bediako says organised supporters’ unions are a relatively recent feature of Ghanaian football and were absent during the country’s most successful football era.

Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Kafui Dey, Bediako recalled that in the past, Ghanaian fans who wanted to follow the Black Stars to international tournaments made their own travel arrangements without belonging to organised supporters’ groups.

“Supporters’ unions… it’s just recent.”

According to him, the Black Stars enjoyed overwhelming public support long before the formation of organised fan groups, with stadiums regularly filled to capacity whenever the national team played.

“People begged to get tickets.”

Bediako said the atmosphere surrounding the Black Stars during Ghana’s football glory years was driven by genuine public enthusiasm rather than organised supporter mobilisation.

He explained that although there was an individual popularly known as the “One-Man Supporter,” who organised fans to cheer on the Black Stars, formal supporters’ unions emerged much later after the love for the team had died down.

The veteran journalist also expressed concern that supporters’ groups have gradually become associated with politics.

“I think it tends to some political sort of thing.”

Bediako questioned the rationale behind spending public funds to transport supporters to international tournaments when large Ghanaian communities already live in many host countries.

Instead, he welcomed initiatives that provide match tickets for Ghanaians living abroad, saying they can help create a strong home atmosphere for the Black Stars without incurring the additional cost of flying supporters from Ghana.

He maintained that while passionate fan support remains important, resources should be used prudently and directed towards the long-term development of Ghana football.