GFA Club Licensing Manager Esme Mends bemoans infrastructure deficit in Ghana Premier League

Ghana Football Association (GFA) Club Licensing Manager, Esme Mends, has highlighted the critical infrastructural and financial hurdles hindering the growth of the Ghana Premier League.

Speaking on the GFA Podcast, the administrator revealed a stark reality regarding facility ownership among the country’s elite clubs, noting that poor sports infrastructure remains a major bottleneck for football development.

Mends pointed out that out of the 18 clubs competing in the top flight, only seven own their own facilities, with an even smaller fraction - just four clubs - owning their own stadia.

He specifically identified Nations FC, Medeama SC, Bibiani GoldStars, and Hohoe United as the rare examples of clubs with their own grounds.

“We can’t mention challenges without mentioning finance; it is one of the primary issues. In terms of infrastructure, when you look around, we have just about four clubs who own their own stadia,” Mends explained.

The lack of dedicated home grounds often forces clubs to rent state-owned or communal facilities, increasing operational costs and complicating scheduling.

These revelations come at a pivotal moment in the 2025/26 season. Currently, Medeama SC lead the table with 46 points, closely pursued by defending champions Bibiani GoldStars, who trail by just one point with nine games remaining.

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