Former Black Stars Management Committee member and seasoned football administrator, Ernest Thompson, has raised concerns about the decision of the FA to dissolve the Black Stars Management Committees.

Speaking on Joy Sports Link on Joy FM on Saturday, November 23, Thompson reflected on how management committees in the past were more strategic and proactive, particularly in addressing challenges when the Black Stars underperformed.

"The concept of committees is and was not limited to the Black Stars," Thompson explained.

"When you go into the rules of the [Ghana Football] Association (GFA), they make rules for committees. Now, what were these committees supposed to do? They were coordinating bodies, liaising between the technical team and the FA Executive Committee because you can’t have the Executive Committee always meeting the technical team,” he explained.

Thompson elaborated on the distinction between past and present committees, highlighting the effective management structures during his tenure.

“During our time, and the years I served on the committee, the choice of members for the committee was well done. I’m not saying the current selection wasn’t well done, but our committee wasn’t chaired by Kwesi Nyantakyi.

"It was chaired by George Afriyie, and we had others like J.Y Appiah [former GHALCA Chairman], [Jones] Abu Alhassan [now late], and there was Bansom [Kwame Ofosu Bamfo]...just look at the heavyweights i am calling, and there were the coaches, the technical director, Oti Akenten join us, and then the medical team also joins us.”

He noted that the committee functioned as a bridge between the technical team and the FA, taking a hands-on approach to resolving team issues, even involving players in discussions when necessary.

“It's therefore like a coordinating body to coordinate affairs of the national team. Where there were issues, we at times, invited the players. Asamoah Gyan can testify to this.

"We would invite the senior players, sit down with them and listen to them, [and address their concerns]. I think we even had one old footballer on the committee back then. I don’t know what has happened now and why they want to disband it.”

He also clarified that despite suggestions that the management committee influenced player call ups, that is far from the truth.

"...let me put this straight, we were not there to go and do selection for a coach. What we did was that, when we meet...and we don't meet often because this is national team is not like a football club playing football every Sunday. We have qualifying series and we have tournaments...the national team has qualifying series and tournaments so when we had qualifying series, we will meet.

"What happens is that, Alex [Asante], the [national team coordinator] will give us a briefing on all the preparations being done. The technical team will also meet us and present their programme."

He cited examples where former Black Stars coaches, Avram Grant and Kwasi Appiah has issues resolved by the committee.

"The management team a does a good work provided they stay within their purview."

Thompson’s remarks come at a time when the Black Stars have failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 21 years, adding to frustrations about the state of football management in Ghana.