Sports journalist Akosua Boatemaa has called for stricter measures against Black Stars players who decline invitations to represent Ghana without what she considers genuine reasons.
Her comments come amid a series of withdrawals and fitness concerns affecting Ghana’s squad ahead of the opening matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Ghana were initially scheduled to face Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24, before hosting The Gambia in Accra on September 29.
Several players originally named in head coach Carlos Queiroz’s 24-man squad have since become unavailable. Reports indicate that Mohammed Kudus, Nathaniel Adjei, Antoine Semenyo and Prince Kwabena Adu are among those affected, with injuries and recovery concerns cited in the cases reported. Alidu Seidu has also been reported unavailable amid fitness concerns.
Against this backdrop, Boatemaa is advocating tougher consequences for players who turn down national team invitations without legitimate justification.
According to her position, representing the Black Stars should be regarded as a national responsibility, and players called up for international duty should demonstrate commitment to the national team.
She believes that players who deliberately reject invitations without genuine reasons should face severe sanctions, including a permanent ban from representing Ghana.
The debate comes at a time when the Black Stars are beginning a new AFCON qualifying campaign under Queiroz, with Ghana preparing for a challenging Group C campaign involving Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia.
The withdrawals have also generated wider public discussion about players’ responsibilities to the national team and how the Ghana Football Association should handle future cases involving unavailable players.
