Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantekyi says Ghana still needs the services of AC Milan midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng, but is adamant he will not be 'bogged down' by his absence.

The 24-year old quit international football last week after only nine games for Ghana. He has received a torrent of abuse and criticism since.

Nyantekyi, who only last month met the player in Milan and appeared to have convinced him to continue with his international career, says he is in no doubt that Ghana still needs his services.

"We need him. He is a very good player and we need good players", the GFA president told JoySports. "I think his performance at the world cup speaks for itself; that on a good day he is a fantastic player who will add value to our team.

The GFA president is however adamant that he will not allow the player's absence to distract from the important business of preparing for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

"But if he is not available we can't throw our hands into despair. We cannot be bogged down by the absence of one player so we will move ahead and prepare without him. But I think we need a player of his calibre."