Following the Black Stars' exit from the FIFA World Cup, Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz has emerged as the favourite to take over the vacant national team coaching position permanently.
The widespread public support for his appointment appears to have influenced the government's reported decision to hand him the job.
Although there has been no official confirmation, information available suggests that authorities may have settled on Queiroz as the long-term solution for the Black Stars.
Given the short period he has spent with the team, Queiroz has been widely credited with bringing discipline, tactical organisation and renewed confidence to the Black Stars.
If appointed permanently, he should be allowed to continue the rebuilding process he has begun.
However, while his appointment may be welcomed, it must come with clearly defined and measurable performance targets.
His tenure should not be judged merely by isolated victories or defeats but against agreed long-term objectives that reflect the country's football ambitions.
Many Ghanaians, including this paper, have consistently advocated for opportunities for local coaches. Unfortunately, the performances of several Ghanaian coaches who have previously handled the national team have not been convincing enough to strengthen the case for continued reliance on local appointments.
That said, the nationality of the coach should never be the determining factor. What matters most is competence, commitment and accountability.
Whether local or foreign, every coach must be held to the same professional standards and assessed against realistic but demanding benchmarks.
Ghana has experienced situations where foreign coaches were expected to spend time in the country, monitor domestic football and identify emerging talent, yet they largely remained abroad, only arriving shortly before international assignments while continuing to receive their full salaries.
Such an arrangement should not be repeated.
If Queiroz is appointed, he should spend a significant amount of time in Ghana, regularly attending Premier League matches, engaging with local clubs and identifying players capable of strengthening the Black Stars.
Building a competitive national team requires continuous monitoring of domestic talent rather than relying solely on players based abroad.
Recently, President John Dramani Mahama raised a serious observation that many members of the national team are unable to sing the national anthem. Having been born and raised outside Ghana, they do not sing the national anthem with the same passion displayed by players from some other countries.
While patriotism cannot be measured solely by singing the anthem, the comment highlights the importance of investing in homegrown talent and strengthening the domestic football structure.
Developing more local players will not only deepen the talent pool but also foster a stronger connection between the national team and Ghanaian football supporters.
A robust domestic development system remains the surest path to producing players who are committed, competitive and capable of restoring the Black Stars to the pinnacle of African and world football.
If Carlos Queiroz is indeed the man chosen to lead that journey, he deserves the support required to succeed.
Equally, he must be held accountable through transparent performance benchmarks that ensure the nation's football aspirations remain the ultimate priority.
