Kojo Addae Mensah, the Chief Executive Officer of Databank Ghana, has made a strong case for better remuneration for players in the Ghana Premier League, citing comparative salary structures in other African countries.
In an interview with LUV FM, the respected finance and sports analyst revealed that footballers in countries such as Tanzania and Ethiopia are earning significantly higher salaries than their counterparts in Ghana—one of the driving factors behind the growing exodus of Ghanaian talent.
“I checked in Tanzania; the people are earning some decent $3,000 to $5,000. The highest-paid player there earns $20,000 a month. His name is Stephen Aziz,” Mr. Addae Mensah stated.
He added, “In Ethiopia, they are paying players between $2,000 and $3,000, and that is why our players are leaving Ghana to go to Ethiopia.”
The Databank CEO believes it is time Ghana’s football authorities take decisive steps to improve wages in the local league if they hope to retain top talent and restore the league’s competitive appeal.
According to him, a minimum monthly salary of $200 for newly signed players would be a reasonable starting point. “For Ghana Premier League players in their first season or something like that, they should earn a minimum of $200—which at an exchange rate of 10 cedis is GHS2,000, or at 12 cedis, about GHS2,500. We can do it. That is my recommendation.”
His comments have sparked widespread conversation among stakeholders, with many agreeing that inadequate compensation remains one of the biggest challenges facing domestic football in Ghana.
As calls for reforms grow louder, clubs and the Ghana Football Association may soon be forced to reconsider their financial models to retain homegrown talent and raise the standard of the local game.
