Former Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye laments over the decline of Ghanaian football

Nii Lante VanderpuyeFormer Sports Minister, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has voiced his profound dissatisfaction with the current state of football in Ghana. In a candid interview with Joy Sports, the outspoken lawmaker decried the numerous challenges plaguing the sport, emphasising that drastic reforms are needed to restore its former glory.Expressing his frustrations, Vanderpuye painted a grim picture of Ghanas football landscape, highlighting systemic issues that he believes are eroding the foundations of the game.He was unequivocal in his call for decisive action to cleanse the system, asserting that failure to do so would only exacerbate the problems.”I am not happy with what is going on. There are so many things wrong with our football, and unless we take bold steps to sanitise the system and make decisions that benefit those involved in the sportnot just businessmenfootball will not grow, Nii Lante Vanderpuye stated.He further revealed his willingness to return as Sports Minister if given the chance, declaring his commitment to initiating reforms that would restore order and improve the state of the game.If I get the opportunity to become Sports Minister in 2025, I will sanitize football, he promised, underscoring his dedication to reversing the sports decline.In recent years, Ghanaian football has come under intense scrutiny from fans and pundits alike, with many describing it as being in disarray.One of the most pressing concerns is the poor quality of football pitches across the country.This issue has grown so severe that Ghana may be forced to host its upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sudan on foreign soil due to the unavailability of suitable venues at home.