Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has stressed the need for stakeholders in Ghanaian football to make the domestic league more attractive, warning that the Ghana Premier League is competing for attention with some of the biggest entertainment platforms in the world.
According to the Minister, the Ghana Premier League is not only competing with other domestic sporting competitions but also with the English Premier League, the English Championship, social media platforms such as TikTok, gaming and other forms of entertainment accessible through mobile phones.
He made the remarks on Thursday, August 20, 2026, during the 32nd Ordinary Congress of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) held at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
Mr Adams said the changing nature of entertainment consumption, particularly among young people, means football authorities must deliberately create an attractive product capable of drawing and retaining the interest of fans.
He noted that supporters have numerous alternatives available to them and, therefore, football administrators cannot simply expect fans to attend matches or follow the domestic league without giving them compelling reasons to do so.
“Our league is competing with the English Premier League, the Championship League, TikTok streaming platforms, gaming, and every other form of entertainment available on the mobile phone,” the Minister said.
“We are competing with all these platforms, so don’t think you are alone. That is why you must do things to attract.”
Mr Adams used the example of a butterfly and a flowering plant to illustrate the need for the Ghana Premier League to improve its appeal.
“Have you seen any butterfly move to any plant without flowers or fruit? So you need to create something to attract them,” he said.
The Minister further argued that football clubs and administrators have a responsibility to provide an experience that gives supporters a reason to choose the local league over competing forms of entertainment.
“They don’t owe you. We actually have a responsibility towards them,” he added.
The comments come amid broader discussions about the need to improve the quality, commercial appeal and fan experience of the Ghana Premier League.
The domestic league has historically been an important component of Ghana’s football ecosystem, producing players for the national teams and providing a platform for clubs and emerging talents.
However, local clubs increasingly operate in an environment where fans can easily access international football, particularly the English Premier League, through television, streaming services and digital platforms.
For younger audiences, the competition extends beyond football. Social media, mobile gaming, short-form video content and other digital entertainment options are available virtually around the clock.
Mr Adams’ remarks therefore suggest that improving attendance and engagement with the Ghana Premier League will require more than simply staging matches.
The Minister’s message places emphasis on the need for football stakeholders to understand the expectations of modern fans and create experiences that respond to those expectations.
This could include improvements in match-day experiences, stadium facilities, marketing, digital engagement, club branding, merchandising and the overall presentation of the league.
For clubs, attracting supporters is also closely linked to their commercial prospects, as larger and more engaged fan bases can create opportunities for sponsorships, merchandising, media rights and other revenue streams.
Mr Adams’ comments at the GFA Congress consequently serve as a call for clubs and football administrators to approach the domestic league as a product that must continually compete for consumers’ attention.
The 32nd Ordinary Congress brought together key stakeholders of Ghana football to deliberate on matters concerning the administration and development of the sport.
The Sports and Recreation Minister’s intervention reinforced the importance of innovation and investment if Ghana’s domestic football is to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded entertainment market.
His central message was that supporters should not be taken for granted and that the responsibility rests with football stakeholders to give them a compelling reason to choose the Ghana Premier League.
By 1960news.com
