Veteran Ghanaian coach Bashir Hayford has criticised the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for what he describes as a lack of respect and recognition for coaches in the country.
Hayfords comments come after GFA Executive Council member Frederick Acheampong revealed that the association was considering adding a Ghanaian coach to the technical team of the Black Stars.
However, Acheampong indicated that the GFA was yet to identify a local coach it considered competent enough to join the senior national teams technical setup.
The revelation has not gone down well with Hayford, who questioned the associations inability to identify a suitable Ghanaian coach despite the wealth of experienced trainers available.
I don’t know why the GFA could not identify any local coach who could join the technical team. There are a lot of competent local coaches who could join the technical team, Hayford said in an interview with Asempa FM.
For the Executive Council to conclude that there is no competent local coach is disrespectful, and it is the reason local coaches are not being respected and not getting the needed recognition.
I believe there are a lot of local coaches who could join the Black Stars technical team, he added.
Hayford, who has previously coached Asante Kotoko and Heart of Lions, is among Ghanas most experienced local coaches, having worked at both domestic and international levels.
His remarks come amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz, whose short-term contract is reportedly unlikely to be extended.
Queiroz was appointed in April ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and successfully guided Ghana to the knockout stage of the tournament.
The Black Stars, however, were eliminated in the Round of 32 after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Colombia.
Ghana are now expected to return to competitive action in September when they begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
The four-time African champions have been drawn in Group C alongside neighbours Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Somalia.
Ghana will be aiming to secure a return to the continental showpiece after missing out on qualification for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
