Olla Bode Williams, a retired footballer has commended the Minister of Sports and Recreation for appointing the Maestro Abedi Pele Ayew on the Ministerial board to oversee Ghana's participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA Canada and Mexico.

He congratulated Abedi Pele Ayew who was his team mate and said the Minister Kofi Adams has done very well.

"If our old or retired players would be engaged to share their experiences I don't think we would be having problems with our football. There are so many of us who are ready to support but if we are neglected and rejected we may not say good things about the them, but if the right things are done we shall all support" he expressed.

Olla Bode Williams was one of the deadly and fantastic players to watch in the 1990s. He featured for Accra Hearts of Oak, Accra Great Olympics, Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs, Sekondi Hasaacas and also played  in Nigeria. He was a Black Meteors and Black Stars player.

He noted that with a player like Stephen Appiah also in the management committee, they are blessed and that is the reason the Black Stars are now playing better with commitment.

He wished Appiah and Abedi Pele success in their roles connected to Ghana Football.

Other members of the Ministerial Committee are:

Stan Xoese Dogbe – Office of the President

Kofi Adams – Sports and Recreation

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

George Opare Addo – Youth Development

Yusif Jajah – Deputy Minister, Tourism and Culture

Ampem Nyarkoh – Deputy Minister, Finance

Kurt Okraku – President, Ghana Football Association (Chairman)

Elizabeth Yankah – Deputy National Security Coordinator

Abedi Pele – Former Black Stars Captain

Wilhelmina Asamoah – Chief Director, Ministry of Youth and Sports

One representative yet to be named

To support the Black Stars’ participation, the government has allocated GH¢150 million, which will fund preparation activities, logistics, team support, travel arrangements and related programmes.

By Sammy Heywood Okine