I would have sacked Otto Addo earlier if the decision were mine alone - Sports Minister Kofi Adams

Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has revealed that he would have parted ways with former Black Stars head coach Otto Addo much earlier had the decision rested solely with him.

Addo, 50, returned as Ghana head coach in March 2024 on a three-year contract with an option for a further two years.

His second spell, however, came under intense scrutiny after the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), prompting widespread calls for his dismissal.

Despite the criticism, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) maintained its confidence in the former Borussia Dortmund youth coach, and he subsequently led Ghana to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, Addo's tenure came to an end just months before the tournament after the Black Stars failed to win any of their four pre-World Cup friendly matches, including successive defeats to Austria and Germany.

The GFA appointed experienced Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz on a short-term deal to lead the team at the tournament in North America.

Speaking in an interview with TV3, Kofi Adams admitted he would have acted much earlier if he had the final say.

“If the decision were mine alone, I would have sacked Otto Addo much earlier during the World Cup qualifiers," he said.

Under Queiroz, Ghana reached the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since the 2010 tournament.

The Black Stars opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama before earning a goalless draw against England.

Although they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final group match, they progressed to the Round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

Ghana's World Cup run eventually ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the knockout stage.

Attention has now turned to the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, where the Black Stars have been drawn in Group C alongside Côte d'Ivoire, Somalia and The Gambia. The qualification campaign is set to begin in September.