Presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyepong, has expressed concern over the growing dominance of individually-owned clubs in Ghana football, warning that it has eroded community spirit and support for traditional teams.
Eight clubs in the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League are non-traditional, either privately owned or established by individuals. Among them is Techiman Eleven Wonders, who returned to the top flight after three years.
The club was taken over by Richard Attipoe, a Council of State member for the Oti Region, who previously purchased Wa All Stars in 2018 and rebranded it as Legon Cities FC. The club, now relegated to the second division, relocated to Accra and is fully financed by Attipoe.
Speaking to Luv FM, Agyepong lamented that such trends have left many clubs unrecognisable and disconnected from their fan base.
“All football is linked to community. The problem we have in our Premier League is that there are too many individual clubs now that have been the bane.
“All these so-called one-man clubs. They all had traditional clubs they were supporting. Why can’t they go back and support Hearts of Oak, Okwawu United, Asante Kotoko, Olympics, Hasaacas, Savannah Stars, Agona Fankobaa FC, etc?
“We used to have traditional teams that were linked to communities, and sports are supposed to be community-based. There are certain teams in the premiership in Ghana now that by their name, I can’t tell where they play or who their supporters are. It has lost that organic love that human beings should have for football,” he said.
Agyepong also bemoaned the collapse of the local football economy, stressing the need for deliberate efforts to revive the game and harness its economic potential.
“Gone were the days when Kotoko was playing in Kumasi, even the State Transport Corporation was making money. They were lining up about 30 buses to send people to Kumasi. Those who were selling food, the economic activity around the stadium, the hotels and all that has collapsed.
“Sports can generate jobs, and it has a big economy. Look at the English League and the money they spend in the transfer window. It’s big business, so we have to take a very deliberate stance on rebuilding our game. It’s the passion of our country. Ghanaians love their football,” he added.
