Partey, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has seen a resurgence in form—reportedly prompting Arsenal to consider offering him a new two-year deal.

Palmer, who played a pivotal role in discovering the 31-year-old midfielder, believes the Ghanaian star still has much to contribute to the Premier League side.

“If there’s a chance for him to stay, then that should be his home,” Palmer told The Sun.

“The fans love him, and I know he could make more money elsewhere, but I know him—and he’s got it in him to play at the highest level for the next five years.”

Partey is expected to return to Arsenal’s squad for the crucial UEFA Champions League return leg against PSG at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. He missed the first leg at the Emirates due to injury.

So far this season, Partey has made 31 Premier League appearances and scored four goals, cementing his role as a key figure in Arsenal’s title challenge.

The experienced German coach, who guided Cameroon to victory in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has been named the technical advisor and technical director for both the senior national team and the GFA.

Reacting to the appointment, Palmer revealed that Schäfer had previously been considered for a coaching role during his tenure on the Executive Council.

“The technical direction of the team has changed, but Winfried Schäfer is a good coach. Even during our time, we had plans to bring him on board,” he told Sporty FM.

Addressing concerns about Schäfer’s inactivity since his last coaching job in 2021, Palmer dismissed any doubts, asserting, “Someone who is technically good remains technically good.”

Meanwhile, despite the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON—marking their first absence from the tournament in 20 years—the GFA’s Executive Council has opted to retain Otto Addo as head coach.

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Ghanaian football has faced a significant decline in recent years, with the Black Stars failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in two decades.

The tournament, scheduled to take place in Morocco this December, will go ahead without Ghana, marking a historic low for the senior national team.

The Black Stars endured a disappointing qualification campaign, managing only three points from six matches, with three draws and three defeats.

Speaking to Sporty FM about the state of football in the country, the Tema Youth FC owner did not mince words. “Football is in an abysmal state,” he stated bluntly.

When asked to assess the performance of GFA President Kurt Okraku, Palmer delivered a harsh verdict. “I will rate Kurt Okraku 3 per cent out of 10. This is for his effort in trying, but overall, he has failed.”

Despite the struggles of the Black Stars, Ghana’s women’s national team, the Black Queens, provided a rare bright spot by securing qualification for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time since 2018.

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Palmer, a prominent football administrator, has previously held significant roles within Ghana football under Kwesi Nyantakyi’s administration. These include serving as an Executive Council member and a management committee member for the Black Stars.

In 2019, however, his ambitions were curtailed when the Normalization Committee unexpectedly disqualified him from contesting the Ghana Football Association (GFA) presidential elections.

Despite this setback, Palmer remains resolute in his passion for football administration. In a recent interview, he emphasized his commitment to returning to the sport.

“Despite what I have gone through, I cannot say I have stopped football administration. This is what I have done all these years, so I cannot stop,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

“I have unfinished business with Ghana football,” he added.

Palmer’s determination comes after a period of recovery from a recent illness, signaling his readiness to reengage with the sport he loves.

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Nyantakyi, who served as GFA president from 2005 to 2018, is remembered for his many accomplishments, particularly for guiding the Black Stars to their first World Cup qualification in 2006 in Germany.

Under his leadership, the Black Stars also participated in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they made it to the quarterfinals for the first time.

Although the team struggled in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, failing to progress past the group stages, Nyantakyi’s tenure also saw the Black Stars reach the finals of both the 2010 and 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), finishing as runners-up on both occasions.

Additionally, the Black Satellites, under his administration, made history by becoming the first African U-20 team to win the FIFA World Cup in Egypt.

In contrast, Kurt Okraku’s leadership has been less successful. Under his tenure, the Black Stars have been eliminated in the group stages of the last three major tournaments: in Cameroon, Qatar, and Ivory Coast.

The team’s struggles continued as they failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, finishing last in Group F – marking the first time in over two decades that Ghana failed to qualify for the tournament.

In an interview with Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Osei Kweku Palmer criticized the current administration, calling it a failure.

“Kwesi Nyantakyi’s administration performed far better than Kurt Okraku’s. In terms of strategic thinking, the current football administration does not come close to Kwesi Nyantakyi’s administration. They have failed everybody, and it is disappointing,” he added.

Kurt Okraku assumed the presidency in 2019, following the dissolution of Nyantakyi’s leadership after an investigative piece by Anas Aremeyaw Anas exposed allegations of corruption. Despite the setbacks with the Black Stars, Okraku’s administration has achieved notable progress in women’s football, with the Black Queens qualifying for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time since 2018.

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Addo, 49, signed a three-year contract in March 2024 but has struggled to deliver results, failing to secure Ghana’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Under his leadership, the Black Stars managed only one win in 10 matches.

In an interview with Joy Sports, Palmer expressed dissatisfaction with Addo’s tenure, arguing that the coach has not met expectations and should be relieved of his duties.

“That decision (to sack or keep Otto Addo) should not be passed to any political leadership as they have tried to do over the period,” he told Joy Sports.

“I hope they will live up to that expectation and make sure a verdict is passed on Otto Addo’s performance, and the only way you can react is to fire him,” he added.

Ghana recorded three draws and three losses during the qualifiers.

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The Swiss coach successfully led the team to secure qualification for the tournament but left her role following the expiration of her contract.

Häuptle has since taken up a new position as head coach of Zambia’s Copper Queens.

In an interview with Joy Sports, Palmer suggested that the GFA could have done more to retain Häuptle until the tournament in Morocco.

“If it was a monetary issue, the question to ask is, ‘Were there not available funds to ensure that Nora Häuptle was paid to complete the WAFCON before parting ways?'” he quizzed.

“If that was not done and they parted ways before the tournament, then that should tell you that we are not going to get the needed results as expected of the team. Nora had transformed the team to her taste, and changing the baton now will not benefit the Black Queens,” he added.

In response, the GFA quickly moved to name Swedish coach Kim Lars Björkegren as Häuptle’s replacement.

Björkegren will be supported by Sampson Charles and Anita Wiredu as the team prepares for the competition.

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In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports, Palmer explained that he was summoned to the Regional Office of the Ghana Police Service for questioning.

“It came as a shock to all my friends because nobody can associate me with murder,” he said.

However, he clarified that the case eventually died down and no further action was taken.

Osei Kweku Palmer previously served as a member of the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council.

Listen to Osei Palmer in the video above:

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Reports suggest that Okraku, whose second term will end in 2027, is considering amending the GFA statutes to allow him to run for a third term.

However, Palmer, who was disqualified from the 2019 presidential race, has criticized Okraku’s tenure, labelling both his first and second terms as poor and unnecessary for an extension.

“Kurt Okraku’s first term and second term have been abysmal so why the need for a third term as Ghana Football Association (GFA) president?” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

“The Black Stars’ performance proves that there is no need to be in office as GFA president for a third term,” he added.

Okraku assumed leadership of the GFA in 2019, following the dissolution of the Normalisation Committee after Kwesi Nyantakyi’s removal amid corruption allegations from Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ investigative exposé.

His leadership has been heavily criticized due to the national teams’ underwhelming performances, including the Black Stars’ group-stage exits in the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and their failure to qualify for next year’s edition in Morocco, marking the first time in 20 years that Ghana has missed the competition.

Despite these setbacks, Okraku has overseen significant developments in women’s football, with the Black Queens qualifying for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations for the first time since 2018.

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The 49-year-old coach has faced intense criticism following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the first time in two decades that Ghana has missed the tournament.

Under Addo’s leadership, the Black Stars managed just three draws and suffered three defeats in their six Group F matches, finishing last.

Overall, the senior national team recorded only two wins out of 14 games played during the 2024 football season, with Addo at the helm for 10 of those games.

Osei Palmer argued that the team’s poor performance undermines Addo’s credentials as the right man for the job.

“I’ve always been clear with my opinion on Otto Addo (that he is not the right man),” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show. “If you look at the results that he has been producing, do you think he is doing well?”

“We said Kwasi Appiah should be sacked because he was not good, but he is the one who has helped Sudan to qualify for the 2025 AFCON and beat us in the process,” he added.

Following the Black Stars’ disappointing AFCON campaign, the GFA has yet to announce its plans regarding Otto Addo, who signed a three-year contract in March 2024.

The national team will return to action in March 2025 for Matchday five and six of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, facing Chad and Madagascar.

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Tema Youth, a club based in Tema and home to notable players like Thomas Partey, Joseph Paintsil, and other Black Stars talents, now competes in the third division of Ghanaian football.

The club’s downfall began after it failed to compensate Young Red Bulls for the transfer of Joseph Paintsil to Belgian side KRC Genk.

As a result, the club was ordered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to pay €150,000 to the GFA, but it chose not to comply.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Osei Palmer expressed his disappointment, saying, “I do not regret doing football while I was at the hospital but my disappointment is how people came together to relegate the team.”

He went on to describe the situation as part of a larger scheme, revealing, “It was a bigger project I was doing but I am well and I will keep on preserving regardless of what has happened.”

Osei Palmer added, “People at the GFA plotted to relegate Tema Youth. I cannot call out names but I was told the people came together to ensure that Tema Youth does not survive.”

He also highlighted issues with the club’s case, noting that five different player passports were presented during the CAS proceedings, which he claimed were fraudulent.

“Even when we went to CAS, we had five different player passports which is not right. I know where these player passports were manufactured,” he added.

Tema Youth, now struggling in the third division, has faced further setbacks, with the club’s points being deducted every time they play a match.

This decision comes as CAS awaits the final verdict in Tema Youth FC’s substantive case against the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Previously, on July 26, 2022, CAS turned down Tema Youth FC’s request for a stay of execution regarding the GFA Appeals Committee’s decision concerning payments related to the transfer of player Joseph Paintsil.

Following this, Young Red Bull FC pursued a case for enforcement of payment against Tema Youth FC, leading to a continued 3-point deduction for Tema Youth FC after each match, in accordance with the Disciplinary Code, due to their non-compliance with the Appeals Committee’s decision.

Recalling the Appeals Committee’s ruling on June 11, 2022, Tema Youth FC was instructed to make the following payments within 14 days: EUR 688,000 to Young Red Bull, EUR 150,000 to the GFA and EUR 150,000 to the Ghana League Clubs Association (“GHALCA”).

Tema Youth’s Latest Application to CAS

On August 25, 2023, Tema Youth FC once again approached CAS, seeking provisional measures to halt their relegation from Division One League Zone 3 to Division Two League until CAS issues a final decision in the ongoing case.

After careful consideration of the arguments presented by both Tema Youth FC and the GFA, the CAS Panel has determined the following:

– The “Petition on Demotion,” treated as a request for provisional measures, filed by Tema Youth Football Club on August 25, 2023, in the matter CAS 2022/A/9010 Tema Youth Football Club v. Ghana Football Association, has been dismissed.

– The costs associated with this Order will be established in the final award or any other conclusive disposition of this arbitration.

With this recent CAS decision, Tema Youth FC’s obligation to Young Red Bull FC for payment enforcement will persist. 

Consequently, for every match played, the club will incur a 3-point penalty until the outstanding debt to Young Red Bull FC is settled.

The issue of player influence on the national team has been a problem for the past and present leadership of the Ghana Football Association.

Recently, former Black Stars coach, CK Akonnor, speaking in an interview, revealed that he had a tough time with the final decision on inviting players to the national team.

However, speaking in an interview, the Tema Youth owner insisted that he has never influenced call-ups to the national team.

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“During days at the Ghana Football Association [GFA], no one can influence a player call-up,” he said on Asempa FM on the Ultimate Sports Show.

“When Avram Grant was in charge of the Black Stars, we only had a problem with him when he called an injured player for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON].

“When we sat him done, he explained and rationalized his decision, and George Afriyie among other members of the Executive Committee insisted the coach must be allowed to do his job,” he added.

The KRC Genk winger who has scored seven goals in 18 appearances for the Belgian side has been left out of Ghana’s final squad for the tournament.

Otto Addo, speaking on why he left out the former Tema Youth forward, revealed that he called his final 26-man squad based on KPIs [Key Performance Index].

However, Osei Palmer, speaking in an interview, slammed the decision of the coach to leave out Paintsil.

According to him, he [Joseph Paintsil] has the best statistics among all Ghanaian players in Europe, adding that Otto Addo lied with his explanation of calling players using the KPIs.

“Otto Addo spoke about KPIs during the announcement of his final 26 players but I want to say he is a liar,” he said on Asempa FM on the Ultimate Sports Show.

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“At the moment, Joseph Paintsil is the best player in Ghana and statistics have proven that.

“Kamaldeen Sulemana and Semenyo do not come close to Joseph Paintsil. He is playing good football in Belgium and I want to tell Otto Addo he lied and his posture on the day proves that,” he added.

The Black Stars have opened camp in Abu Dhabi and will come up against Switzerland in a friendly on November 17.

Ghana will open its campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.

Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.

Ghana will wrap up its group stage adventure with its much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.

The Black Stars are expected to arrive in Doha on November 19.

The 22nd edition of the tournament has been scheduled to kick off from November 20 to December 18.

Addo, who led the side to qualify for the Mundial, has come under criticism after unveiling his final 26-man squad for the tournament.

The likes of Joseph Paintsil, Jeffery Schlupp, and Majeed Ashimeru have all been left out of the squad despite their impressive performance at the respective clubs.

“For me, Otto Addo is not the right person to lead the Black Stars,” he said on Asempa FM on the Ultimate Sports Show.

“When government was pushing for the appointment of Chris Hughton, the FA rejected it because they wanted someone they can manipulate.

“Otto Addo is a good scout and not a coach. We saw the handy work of Chris Hughton during the Nigeria game but for me, Otto Addo is not the best person to lead the team,” he added.

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The Black Stars have opened camp in Abu Dhabi to prepare for the Mundial.

The team will be tested against Switzerland in a friendly on November 17 before they arrive in Doha on November 19.

Ghana, who are making their fourth appearance at the global’s biggest tournament will open their Group H campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.

Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.

Ghana will wrap up its group stage adventure with its much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.

The Black Stars are expected to arrive in Doha on November 19.

The 22nd edition of the tournament has been scheduled to kick off from November 20 to December 18.

The Black Stars sealed qualification to the continent’s flagship tournament next year after finishing top of Group C with 13 points.

After failing to win the AFCON since 1982, Ghana will be seeking glory next year. Mr Palmer said on Nhyira FM that the Kurt Okraku-led administration has to strategise for the Nations Cup as a project and not just for the ‘bread and circus’ of representing the nation.

“To borrow the words of Samuel Osei Kuffour, we must plan the AFCON as a project and not prepare for the competition [AFCON 2021]. We should have the intention of going there to win. I want to drive this motivation from Dede Ayew, he has solid leadership qualities. He charged the boys that one competition that they have never participated in is the Confederations Cup so they should try and participate in it,” he said.

“The only way to play the Confederations Cup is by winning the AFCON and this can challenge them. They have played at the World Cup before so this can be motivation enough for them. When we have a solid team there is no problem in achieving this target of winning the AFCON again,” he added.

Mr Palmer has opened up his doors to provide support to the football family anytime he is consulted.

“I am always available. My doors have never closed to football because I eat, drink and everything I do is about football,” he assured.

The Elections Committee of the Swiss-based court confirmed the decision to disqualify the Tema Youth owner from contesting the 2019 GFA elections in a ruling on September 1.

Mr Palmer resorted to the global tribunal after he described his disqualification as unfair.

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However, CAS after hearing from both parties, has ruled in favour of Ghana’s football authority.

Mr Palmer was disqualified for his failure to pay the 10% mandatory fee to the GFA for transfer of his player, Joseph Painstil to Belgian side KRC Genk.

And failing to prove he apologised to Ethics Committee over his comments on public radio that, Ghana failed to qualify for World Cup 2018 due to the government’s decision to withdraw indemnity or unclassified payments from the GFA budget.

The verdict by CAS means the status quo remains the same with President Kurt Okraku leading the Association until 2023.

The world football governing body, FIFA has written to the government of Ghana to withdraw its petition to liquidate the assets of the Ghana Football Association after they were granted an injunction on the activities of the association.

“I was very excited when I saw the letter from FIFA because it reechoes what I have always stood for. Government has no right to liquidate the Association because we belong to a mother body which does not deal with government. It was wrong for government to petition the court in the first place”, Palmer said.

The accounting brain turn football administrator revealed the assets the government through the Attorney General seeks to liquidate were built by FIFA hence government has no right over them.

“FIFA has only recognized that liquidation is not the right way to go and they own most of the assets of the Association. I know FIFA will follow up with a road map for the way to go in restoring football”.