In Episode 3 of the Black Stars Podcast, "The Struggle for Africa", the focus is on the complex relationship between Ghana‘s national football team and its diaspora players.
The episode explores the choices, tensions and identity struggles faced by Ghanaian footballers born and raised in Europe. It explores what drives players to represent powerhouse nations instead of their ancestral homeland, the challenges of integrating diaspora players into the Black Stars, and whether Ghana is doing enough to harness its global talent pool.
Through personal stories and expert insights, the episode examines how diaspora players impact Ghana’s football ambitions and the broader issues of identity, preparation and infrastructure that influence their decisions.
In the slides below, we list some of the incredible football talent lost to the Ghana men’s national team…
In Episode 3 of the Black Stars Podcast, “The Struggle for Africa”, the focus is on the complex relationship between Ghana’s national football team and its diaspora players.
The episode explores the choices, tensions and identity struggles faced by Ghanaian footballers born and raised in Europe. It explores what drives players to represent powerhouse nations instead of their ancestral homeland, the challenges of integrating diaspora players into the Black Stars, and whether Ghana is doing enough to harness its global talent pool.
Through personal stories and expert insights, the episode examines how diaspora players impact Ghana’s football ambitions and the broader issues of identity, preparation and infrastructure that influence their decisions.
In the slides below, we list some of the incredible football talent lost to the Ghana men’s national team…
The Black Stars is a six-part documentary podcast that asks this question, diving deep into the history, struggles and occasional glories of Ghana’s national football team.
From the highs of its 1960s African Cup of Nations triumphs and the nation’s unforgettable first World Cup in 2006, to the crushing lows of political interference, corruption, mismanagement and near-misses on the world stage, the series lays bare the contradictions at the heart of Ghanaian football.
It explores the powerful forces that have shaped the Black Stars: golden generations that slipped away, the uneasy pull between Ghana and its diaspora stars, the global academies and scouts who profit from raw talent, and the scandals and tragedies – like the 2001 Accra Stadium disaster – that scarred the game at home.
Told through the voices of players, presidents, coaches, scouts, journalists and fans, this is the story of football as Ghana’s greatest source of pride and its most painful heartbreak. A tale of brilliance and squandered promise, of unity and betrayal – and of a nation still striving for the ultimate redemption on football’s biggest stage.
The future Italy striker was born Mario Barwuah in Palermo, Sicily, to Ghanaian immigrant parents Thomas and Rose Barwuah.
When he was still a toddler, he experienced several health issues that saw social workers place him with the Balotelli family to aid his recuperation.
That led to his integration into Italian culture and when the time came for him to choose where to play his international football, he chose Italy.
Another who was born to Ghanaian immigrants, this time in Manchester, where the youngster was scouted by Manchester United at the age of six, and joined their academy by the age of nine.
He went on to represent England at U17, U18 and U19 youth levels and when the time came for him to make his decision on who to represent, the then 18-year-old chose England over Ghana, who had made overtures through Ghana FA Board member Randy Abbey, who told The Times:
“The Ghana Football Association is interested in monitoring, attracting, and persuading all eligible talents for its various national teams.
“Kobbie is definitely one of such incredible talents, and the Association will love to work with him and many like him, home and abroad,” he concluded.
Like Kobbie, Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck was born in Manchester to Ghanaian immigrant parents. He was also integrated into the England set up at youth level and led him to favour the country of his birth over his family heritage when it came to choosing which nation to represent at senior level.
He even, coincidentally, made his England debut against Ghana in a 1-1 friendly draw.
The Dutch striker was born in the South Holland village of Moordecht to a Ghanaian father and a Dutch mother. Unfortunately, the relationship between his parents deteriorated to the point where the footballer decided to drop his father’s surname and asked to just be called Memphis.
However, at the age of 23, when he was already an established Dutch international, he reconnected with his Ghana roots, discovering amongst other things that he was from the Ashanti tribe and even releasing a song From Ghana with Rass King.
Nicholas Williams Arthuer was born to Ghanaian parents in Bilbao, Spain, along with his older brother Inaki, who, despite having the same upbringing and Athletic Bilbao academy grounding, declared for Ghana’s national team.
Nico, on the other hand, arguably the more precocious talent of the two brothers, played at U17 and U18 levels for Spain before opting to represent the country of his birth, rather than follow in his brother’s footsteps.
Incredibly, two more footballing brothers from Ghanaian heritage ended up playing for two separate countries, who even played against each other in the 2010 World Cup finals. Jerome Boateng and Kevin-Price Boateng were both born in Germany and share a father in common.
Despite both half-brothers representing Germany at youth level, when it came time to choose which national team to represent, Kevin-Prince chose Ghana and his younger brother Jerome chose Germany.
Ethan’s father is former footballer Kwame Ampadu, who was born in England to parents of Ghanaian descent. While Ethan played for Wales at U17 and U19 youth levels, he was eligible to play for Ghana, Ireland, England and Wales.
Again, the experience of youth football at international level proved to be the difference-maker and the defender opted to represent Wales.
The Liverpool forward’s father was Togolese but of Ghanaian descent, which led the Ghana Football Association to attempt to recruit him to the Black Stars cause.
Despite discussions with former Ghana coach Charles Kwablan Akonner when Gakpo was still at junior level, the PSV academy graduate opted to remain in the Netherlands youth system and await his call-up to the Dutch national team.
In Episode 4 of The Black Stars Podcast, due out on Monday, September 22, titled “The Factory”, we explore the world of football player development in Ghana, where raw talent intersects with global ambitions.
The episode examines the influence of European scouts and academies on young Ghanaian players, showcasing their aspirations, challenges, and the often harsh realities of being viewed as commodities in an international system.
Through interviews with scouts, academy directors and players, the narrative reveals the successes and struggles of Ghana’s football academies, their impact on the national team, and the consequences of Ghanaian players being shipped off to European clubs at a young age. Ultimately, the episode raises critical questions about whether these academies truly benefit Ghanaian football or prioritize international profit at the expense of the Black Stars’ glory.
