Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams has been quite critical and vocal about the performance of Ghana Black Stars head coach Otto Addo.

Otto Addo’s performance asd Black Stars head coach has been a mix, quite inconsistent. Even though he successfully guided the team to secure their ticket to the biggest football tournament, the FIFA 2026 World Cup, he faced heavy criticism for failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Following his guiding the team to World Cup twice in the history of Ghana, the Sports Minister has on several occasions expressed his opinion about his work. During an appearance on United Television (UTV) that was published on October 29, Mr Adams noted that, despite the Black Stars’ qualification for the World Cup , he expects Otto Addo to up his game; to do a lot more ahead of the tournament.

“I am happy we have qualified, but that does not mean everything was cool. I expect the coach [Otto Addo] to do a lot more,” the Member of Parliament for the Buem constituency said.

He further explained that the World Cup presents a much tougher challenge than the qualifiers.

“The qualifiers are entirely different, and sometimes you get a superior advantage over other countries and opponents, but at the World Cup, you can come up against the Asians, Europeans, the South Americans, North Americans, and what have you and these countries have a different style of play, so your reading of the game must be different,” he added.

In earlier interviews, the Minisiter mentioned his dissatisfaction with Otto Addo’s performance as Black Stars headcoach .

“If I tell you I am impressed with Otto Addo, then it means I do not know my job,” he said after Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON. Also in an interview with Citi FM following Ghana’s 5–0 win over the Central African Republic, Adams said:

“He’s done his bit, he’s done well, and we give him credit. Despite the criticism of some of his decisions, which I share sometimes, he’s come through as a coach who has been quite lucky.” “Even Otto Addo himself, he wasn’t happy that I described his situation as lucky.”

Ghana will discover their group-stage opponents when the World Cup draw is conducted on December 5.

Meanwhile, Otto Addo’s inconsistencies raised questions about his long-term future as Black Stars coach.

In reaction, Dr Abbey, speaking during an engagement with Asempa FM, acknowledged the public’s concerns but stated that, as it stands, the employers of the former Dortmund coach haven’t expressed their disinterest in Otto Addo’s role as head coach, hence the need to shift all focus on celebrating the feat he has attained.

“From the time we came in, look at the statistics. Otto Addo is the head coach of the Black Stars, and that has not changed. I don’t have any issues with the ongoing discussions. He has a contract, and his contract has not ended. His employers have not said they are done with him. He has qualified for the World Cup, and he must be celebrated for that, but every Ghanaian deserves to have an opinion, and Otto Addo remains the Black Stars coach,” Dr Abbey said.

Responding to a question about whether the committee had identified any weaknesses within Addo’s technical set-up, Dr Abbey replied, “Except God, everyone has weaknesses.”

The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, earlier noted that the dismissal of Otto Addo is not a solo decision he can make, but several factors will need to be considered before a decision about the coach’s future is made.

“If you listen to Otto Addo on the team, he said he will try a lot of legs to know who will go or not, but I believe the management and everybody who is involved in hiring the coach will consider a lot of factors,” “I pay him, but it is not my decision alone. The GFA has a role to play, and it is not about this or not and going forward, we will have all these conversations,” Mr Adams said during an interview on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

The Minister emphasised that Addo remains the head coach and deserves full support from all Ghanaians.

Ivory Coast sacked their coach during AFCON, and their assistant coach, Emerse Faé, led them to win the AFCON. If you are determined, you will bring success. At this moment, he is our coach, and we have to support him.”

Meanwhile, Otto Addo has reacted to questions surrounding his future with the team.

Ahead of Ghana’s final game for the 2026 World Cup clash with Comoros, in an interview with the Ghana FA website, the former Dortmund talent coach intimated that his focus is to make Ghanaians happy and not to worry about keeping his job, a situation he has no control over.

“What happens after is not in my hands. I hope that a lot of people, if we win, can go to America. We have to win this game. This is what we are looking at. If Ghanaians are happy, then we are happy,” he said.

Ghana will discover their group-stage opponents for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on December 5. FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Ghana for securing its ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Comoros in their final Group I qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, marking the country’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament.

In a congratulatory message shared via video on the football governing body’s Instagram, Infantino praised the four-time African champions for their achievement and expressed excitement about their return to the world stage.

“Congratulations to the Black Stars on reaching the FIFA World Cup for the fifth time in history. Your fans will bring colours, style and passion to the greatest FIFA World Cup ever in 20226 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

“We expect that your team will establish more global stars to follow in the footsteps of the famous team that made the quarterfinals of the tournament in South Africa in 2010, but for now, enjoy this special moment, and we cannot wait to see who the Black Stars will face when we have the final tournament draw on the 5th of December.

“See you very soon and well. Congratulations!”