Perspectives of sports enthusiasts on the poor performance of Ghana national teams: lessons for sports governance

Ghana’s notable sports legacy faces scrutiny amid a recent decline in national team performance, sparking concerns over governance. This study examines the perspectives of sports enthusiasts, fans, coaches, former athletes, and community patrons, on the challenges behind this underperformance. Grounded in participatory governance theory, it employs a qualitative, phenomenological design, using semi-structured interviews with 30 participants from three cities in Ghana (Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale). Thematic analysis identified four key concerns: poor governance, lack of long-term vision, inadequate grassroots investment, and political interference. The findings reveal a disconnect between sports authorities and the public, underscoring the need for inclusive, transparent, and merit-based reforms. By highlighting the voices of underrepresented stakeholders, the study contributes to democratic sports governance literature and proposes actionable recommendations to restore public trust and improve national sports outcomes.