Why GFA Opened Applications For Black Stars Job — Henry Asante Twum Explains

Ghana Football Association Communications Director Henry Asante Twum has finally explained why the FA decided to throw open the vacant Black Stars head coaching job to applicants instead of headhunting a preferred candidate.

 

Speaking on TV3’s Sports Station and Akoma Sports, Asante Twum said the decision was deliberate to restore public confidence and respect the joint recruitment approach agreed with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

 

“Since the decision was not solely that of the FA and had to involve the Ministry, we had to agree to move in certain directions. We needed to respect that particular approach,” he said.

“You are dealing with people who are tired of a certain style or way of doing things and want change. All these are part of the process.”

 

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According to the GFA spokesperson, headhunting and direct recommendations were still valid options, but Ghanaian football fans are tired of the old way.

 

“Every point raised is very valid. However, sometimes you also have to consider the research method you are using to find a solution, especially when you want to restore public confidence,” Asante Twum added.

 

 

The open application has attracted massive interest. The GFA says over 1,000 coaches have applied for the job in the last few weeks, including former Black Stars coach James Kwesi Appiah.

 

The FA and the Ministry have set up a five-member committee to oversee the entire recruitment process after the departure of Carlos Queiroz on October 1, 2026. The Portuguese coach left after Ghana’s poor start to the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Losing 2-0 to Ivory Coast and 4-2 to The Gambia, leaving Ghana bottom of Group C without a point.

 

While the search continues, the committee has appointed an interim technical team for the crucial double-header against Somalia in November:

 

• Kim Lars Björkegren – Lead Coach (currently Black Queens coach)

• Ibrahim Tanko – Assistant

• Godwin Attram – Assistant

• Fatawu Dauda – Goalkeepers Coach

 

Asante Twum defended the choice, describing Björkegren as the “best-performing coach” among all national teams, Tanko as the best coach in the country at the moment as defending GPL champion, and Attram for his continuity from the Queiroz era.

 

The GFA insists the search committee has full competence to deliver and that the FA has no hand in influencing the final selection.