In recent times, sports in Ghana seems to be going from bad to worse, a situation, which has led to some sentimental agitation for the scraping of the Ministry of Youth and Sports by members of the public.

This situation seems to be justified in the face of the deterioration of Ghana sports and football in particular since this administration took over. From the Manchester controversy, which only obtained a Bronze Medal after sending more officials than sportsmen and managing to place very low at the medal table, to the disaster and disappointment in Kumasi when Asante Kotoko was defeated painfully in the finals of the Africa Winners Cup and the elimination of both the Black Starlets and the Satellites from international football competitions. Very sad. Unprecedented in Ghana football for two national teams to be booted out in less than 24 hours in international marches.

As if this was not enough there seems to be chaos at the Ministry of Youth and Sports when the minister seems to take a different position from that of Ghana Football Association (GFA), in the appointment of a national coach; the result of which jeopardizes the chances of the National Teams, particularly the Black Stars, who must qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and possibly the world cup.

In an earlier article dealing with management and administration of football, it was made clear that "management and administration of football in Ghana has been transitory, controversial, ad hoc and characterized by allegations of corruption, ineffectiveness and partisan".

It was further said that the beneficiaries of football management ought to be made to understand what is involved and be made part of the administrative process. Further, effective management of football ought to be built around a vision or strategy. That is to say developing football around strategic steps and scenarios that take account of our experience, weaknesses and the environment. Effective management in soccer means sound planning for the success of football in the country.

Another serious problem is how to make logistics readily available to the national teams without the minister and the GFA chairman trying to justify their performance instead of the two planning together for the success of soccer and sports in general in the country.

In another earlier article dealing with financing of football in Ghana it was argued and established that financing sports in the country, was the most critical area that determines sports development. It was argued strongly that with the relatively undeveloped nature of the private sector in the economy, public sector role should continue to be significant in this respect and that Sports development can only take place on a minimum financial base if the country wants to gain past glory in sports especially soccer. It was said that the FA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports are not helping the matter because they lack initiative to study the issue critically for the benefit of sports in the country. There is no doubt the GFA boss blamed the defeat of the juvenile teams on lack of funds. But whose responsibility is to ensure that funds were readily available before embarking on national assignments?

However, in the midst of this dismal performance and lack of clear definition of role and purpose by the ministry and the GFA, Ghana football suffers.

It is high time the minister and his team sat down with the GFA officials and GHALCA to work together and defended each other's performance as a co-ordinated team with collective responsibility rather than trying to win public favour. This situation would not help the ministry neither will it help Ghana football in particular.

Some of the questions that Ghanaians would like to ask the minister and the GFA chairman are; what has happened to the lofty ideas espoused by both of them on the assumption of office and the optimism they raised in the minds of people? What has also happened to the good plans announced to the public? Didn't these plans factor in resources, philosophy and strategy including recruiting coaches? Did these assurance not take account of our limitations as a nation and finally, was the incessant criticism heaped on the previous administration under E.T.Mensah done without basis? Was it blind criticism without any idea of alternative path or was it a question of running down state officials for the sake of it?

His Excellency Abedi Ayew Pele, should not sit aloof. He has a lot of rich experience to bring to Ghana football. Ghanaians are still crying over his early retirement from both local and international football and his contribution to revive Ghana soccer would be a further adoration to Ghanaians. GFA, Ministry of Youth and Sports, the hopes of Ghanaians are heaped on you. Bring something new to their lives in sports.

The least one expects in Ghana sports today is an improvement on what was inherited and not a further deterioration. The sports ministry must sit up otherwise they would justify the call for its elimination as a ministry.