Interim Management Committee (IMC) Lead Administrator of Accra Hearts of Oak, Vincent Sowah Odotei, has attributed the declining attendance in the Ghana Premier League to the lack of entertainment and star quality, insisting the domestic game is no longer attracting supporters.
Attendances across Ghana’s top flight have fallen significantly in recent years, with many clubs struggling to fill stadiums despite efforts by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and stakeholders to revive interest in the competition.
Speaking in an interview with JoySports, Odotei argued that modern football is driven by entertainment, and believes the Ghana Premier League is failing to offer fans the excitement needed to keep them coming to matches.
“Our football is not fit for purpose. Our football is not entertaining. In football, we’re not in the business of football; we’re in the entertainment business through it,” he said.
“Football is a drama. You need actors, you need stars that people will want to come and watch.”
The former Member of Parliament stressed that successful football leagues around the world thrive because they produce exciting players capable of drawing crowds, a quality he believes is currently missing from the Ghanaian game.
Odotei recalled how legendary Hearts of Oak players once inspired entire communities to travel to stadiums, creating a vibrant football culture that has gradually diminished over the years.
He pointed to former Phobians Shamo Quaye and Ablade Kumah, as well as Black Stars legend Stephen Appiah and Anas Seidu, as examples of players whose popularity extended beyond the football pitch.
“People came to watch Hearts of Oak because of Shamo Quaye and Ablade Kumah. They came from Tema, their community. You go to Newtown, Anas Seidu. You go to Mamprobi, Stephen Appiah and co. That’s where they come from,” he explained.
According to Odotei, the absence of such iconic personalities has contributed to dwindling spectator interest, with many supporters now preferring to watch foreign leagues that provide higher-quality football and greater entertainment.
“We don’t have that in our football. We are not providing the entertainment, so naturally, people will go to leagues that provide entertainment,” he added.
His comments add to the growing debate over the future of the Ghana Premier League, with administrators, clubs and football stakeholders continuing to search for ways to improve the quality of the competition, increase fan engagement and restore packed stadiums across the country.
