Seasoned Ghanaian journalist, Paul Adom-Otchere, has weighed in on the growing debate over the inclusion of foreign-born players in the Black Stars, urging Ghanaians to think carefully about the message being sent to younger footballers abroad.
Speaking on his show on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Adom-Otchere said the issue was not new and traced Ghana’s long history of integrating players born or raised outside the country into the national team.
“This will not be the first time that Ghanaians who played abroad, who were born abroad, are coming in to play football for the Black Stars,” he said.
“It happened with Anthony Baffoe back in the 1990s, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Junior Agogo, and others. This has been part of our football story for decades,” he said.
He reminded viewers that the first such player, Anthony Baffoe, was “born and raised in Germany” but came to play for Ghana during the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Adom-Otchere’s comments come amid renewed debate following reports that Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketia – both born in England to Ghanaian parents – could be reconsidering their international allegiance to play for Ghana at the next World Cup.
The Metro TV journalist acknowledged the talent both players could bring but urged caution about the long-term implications.
“Let’s put ourselves in their position,” he said. “At 26, 27, you may not get another chance to play at the World Cup with England. If Ghana gives you that opportunity, you’ll jump at it – and everyone would. But the real question is: what signal are we sending?”
He asked whether allowing players to switch only after failing to secure a place with their countries of birth could discourage loyalty among younger Ghanaian talents abroad.
“Are we telling a 15-year-old Ghanaian boy in London or Paris that he should try for the Three Lions first – and if that fails, Ghana will always be there waiting?” he asked.
“That’s the critical matter we need to think about,” he noted.
Adom-Otchere contrasted this attitude with the example of the Ayew family, led by football legend Abedi Pele, whose children, André and Jordan Ayew, both chose to represent Ghana even though they could have easily played for France.
“Abedi Pele’s sons were born and raised in France. They could have played for the French national team without any difficulty,” he said.
“But they chose Ghana – and not just to play, but to lead. Dede and Jordan have both captained the Black Stars. That’s the signal we should be sending.”
Despite his concerns, the Good Evening Ghana host made it clear that he supports the inclusion of quality players if they can strengthen the team.
“You’re going to a tournament. You need depth, you need options,” he said.
“It doesn’t hurt to have another quality striker or midfielder. If they’re better than what we have, take them. If they’re not, leave them.”
He also read from a social media comment by sports journalist Gary Al-Smith, who had shared a similar view: “If the two of them are better than what we have, then please take them. If they are not better, then leave them.”
Adom-Otchere called for a national reflection on how Ghana nurtures and retains talent, both at home and abroad.
“Next time, we should build our country,” he said. “We shouldn’t be losing all of these players. If Ghana could harness all its footballers born to Ghanaian parents across the world, we could field a World Cup-winning team.”
