– Leaving Some Businesses Concerned Over Local League Investment Issues
With Ghana’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in doubt, concerns are mounting not just among football fans but also within the business community.
In an interview with The High Street Journal, football enthusiast Samuel Adjei voiced the frustrations many business owners share, warning of the potential financial impact if Ghana fails to secure a place in the prestigious tournament.
He also shed light on deeper issues, such as the lack of investment in Ghana’s local football league, which has long-term economic implications.
Football’s Economic Power: The Role of Numbers
Adjei pointed out that for businesses, football’s economic value lies in the sheer numbers it attracts. Successful teams draw large crowds and generate significant engagement, which directly benefits businesses tied to football, such as restaurants, retailers, and sponsors. “Football is all about the numbers,” he emphasized. When teams perform well, they bring in fans, and this drives sales for businesses connected to the sport.
Adjei explained that countries like Egypt, which have strong local leagues, attract heavy investments from businesses because their teams consistently perform well and pull in large audiences.
“When they put proper structures in place for teams, and those teams become attractive, they pull the numbers. That means business for companies who want to invest,” he said. This illustrates how a well-developed football league can create a thriving economic environment for both the sport and businesses.
The Struggles of Ghana’s Local League
However, Adjei expressed frustration with the lack of investment in Ghana’s local league, which has made it difficult for teams to attract the same level of fan engagement and business support.
He explained that without adequate funding, local teams struggle to perform at the level needed to draw large crowds and appeal to potential sponsors. “Locally, leadership is not putting in proper investment to make the teams in the local leagues attractive enough to win the hearts of people, to be able to pull the numbers,” he said.
He went on to highlight how businesses typically view football as a platform for advertising, particularly through sponsorships and jersey sales.
But in Ghana, the lack of visibility for local teams discourages businesses from investing. “Big business companies know that if they invest in a known team, it’s a win-win,” he pointed out. Without strong local teams, the potential for businesses to see returns on these investments is significantly diminished.
Missed Economic Opportunities
Adjei also addressed the long-term economic implications of Ghana’s under-investment in football infrastructure. He argued that a stronger local league, supported by better facilities, would not only improve the quality of football in Ghana but also create new business opportunities.
“If our leadership were more intentional about investing in our local leagues, we would not only retain our talented players but also attract the kind of business support that can help the teams grow and provide returns for investors,” he said.
According to Adjei, the lack of proper football pitches, training centres, and development programs has left Ghana’s local teams at a disadvantage, unable to compete at the highest levels regionally or internationally.
He believes that with better infrastructure, Ghana could build a football ecosystem capable of driving both sporting and business success. “We need to start investing in our local leagues and putting proper structures in place if we want to grow our football and our businesses,” he concluded.
AFCON setback
Ghana’s journey to AFCON 2025 qualification is on shaky ground after two disappointing results against Sudan. Following a goalless draw in Accra, the Black Stars suffered a 2-0 defeat in the return match.
These results have left Ghana with just two points from four games, placing them third in the group and making their qualification prospects uncertain. With only two matches left, the pressure is on the national team to deliver if they want to secure a spot in the tournament and avoid a rare absence from the continental stage
This setback has further heightened concerns among businesses that benefit from the excitement and economic activity AFCON qualification usually brings.
