Sports
The women’s football… all of them are doing well. The Under-17, the Black Maidens, the Black Princesses—they’re all doing well. They’re playing good football.
Veteran sports journalist and football historian Ken Bediako believes Ghana’s women’s national football teams have become better ambassadors for the country than the Black Stars, citing their commitment, passion and steady performances.
Speaking to Kafui Dey, Bediako contrasted the progress of the women’s teams with what he described as the decline of the men’s game.
He pointed to the performances of Ghana’s youth women’s teams and the senior national side as evidence that the women’s football development pathway is producing results.
“The women’s football… all of them are doing well. The Under-17, the Black Maidens, the Black Princesses—they’re all doing well. They’re playing good football.”
Bediako attributed their success to their desire to represent Ghana and the commitment they display whenever they wear the national jersey.
“They’re playing with all their strength and enthusiasm and dedication.”
He said, unlike some male players who have to be persuaded to accept national team invitations, many women see representing Ghana as an honour and an opportunity to build their careers.
“He’s proud to play for his nation. Nobody is begging him to play. He wants to make football a career.”
Bediako suggested that the men’s game has increasingly relied on recruiting foreign-based players who often have limited time together before international matches.
He argued that this has weakened team spirit compared to earlier generations of Black Stars players who developed together through Ghana’s youth system and domestic league.
The veteran journalist said Ghana should learn from the structure and commitment evident in the women’s game while investing more in player development at home.
According to him, rebuilding the men’s national team will require long-term planning, stronger coaching and a renewed focus on nurturing local talent rather than seeking quick fixes.
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