The Chief Executive Officer of Franco Sports Academy in Bibiani, Seth Baffour Agyapong, has expressed concern over the poor state of sports development in the Western North Region, despite what he describes as an abundance of talented young footballers in the area.
Speaking in an interview on Raycof Sports Night with Kwame Adolf Asmah, Mr. Agyapong said his experiences traveling across Ghana and outside the country have convinced him that the Western North Region remains one of the most gifted areas in terms of raw football talent.
He maintained that, in his view, the region may even surpass others in the country when it comes to natural sporting ability.
However, he noted that many young players continue to struggle due to limited exposure, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of consistent investment in grassroots football development.
According to him, these challenges are preventing several promising talents from reaching their full potential and competing at higher levels.
The Franco Sports Academy CEO also raised broader concerns about sports branding and administration in Ghana, saying he was inspired to establish the academy in 2017 after observing how sports is professionally managed abroad.
He explained that proper branding plays a key role in attracting sponsors, investors, and opportunities in modern football.
Mr. Agyapong further lamented that many local coaches and clubs do not prioritize branding, stressing that even basic sports equipment and team materials should be professionally presented to build credibility and visibility.
He added that poor technological adoption, including limited social media presence and outdated communication tools among some clubs, continues to hinder sports promotion.
He also highlighted the challenge of inadequate sponsorship for local teams, saying many coaches and administrators in both the Western North Region and across Ghana struggle financially due to limited support systems.
He compared the situation to more developed football environments such as England, where strong branding and structured investment attract consistent funding.
Despite the challenges, he revealed that Franco Sports Academy remains focused on youth development and education, with plans to achieve greater success and compete for trophies in the coming season through structured training and improved talent development systems.
