A GNA feature by Caleb Kuleke, GNA
Ho, Aug 03, GNA- Right now, in Morocco, Africa’s finest female footballers have gathered for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Among them are Ghana Black Queens, armed with a formidable squad led by Head Coach Kim Lars Björkegren.
They qualified for this tournament in a grand style, including a dominant 7-0 aggregate dismantling of Egypt.
They wrapped up their preparations with a commanding 4-0 victory over Malawi, proving they are ready to fight for continental glory.
The Black Queens are placed in Group D alongside Cameroon, Mali, and Cape Verde. The Queens opened their game with a 2-0 victory over Cape Verde yesterday, a positive sign towards lifting the trophy.
However, a walk through the major streets of Ho and its bustling central market reveals a glaring absence of national flags, jerseys, and the usual vibrant paraphernalia that characterises fans’ love for football.
It is hard to know that a major national assignment is underway as it used to be when the Black Stars are having tournaments.
The Ghana News Agency (GNA), visited to a popular barber shop in Alaye, a suburb of Ho, where young people usually gathered to watch and discuss the Black Stars’ matches in the just ended World Cup.
Surprisingly, during conversations with fans, it was that most of them were completely unaware that the Black Queens are currently competing in the WAFCON
So, one would ask: “What’s the crime of the Black Queens? The silence is absolute. Why does a team that has consistently brought the nation pride face such an enthusiasm deficit compared to their male counterpart?
Holding the Media and Music Industry Accountable
Most of the people the GNA engaged blamed the media for the low enthusiasm. They complained that television stations are not showing more commentaries or talk shows about the tournament.
They expressed intense frustration over the issue, asking why media houses are not producing promotional build-ups or dedicated pundit analysis.
Dziedzorm, a female football fan, appealed to the media to support the women’s national team with the same energy reserved for the Black Stars.
“How do we expect citizens to develop an interest in a product that the media refuses to showcase?” she asked.
She urged the media to develop a genuine, sustained interest in women’s football, and use their platforms to tell the stories of players like Doris Boaduwaa, Evelyn Badu, Captain Portia Boakye and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah.
Dziedzorm, a Senior High School student who aims to become a sports journalist asked the media to give their tactical breakdowns the same prime-time slots they give the men.
The Music Industry
The music industry shares equal blame for the low excitement surrounding the tournament. At a chop bar at Bentota, another suburb of Ho, most residents who thronged the place to buy food were also completely unaware of the WAFCON.
Dela, an aspiring footballer, pointed fingers at both the media and top Ghanaian artists, citicising musicians for their complete silence on the event. He said musicians have failed to release supportive tracks or tournament anthems for the Queens.
“I haven’t heard any song composed for the Queens. If it is the Black Stars, you will see these musicians composing songs for them and even mentioning their names in the song,” he said.
Evelyn, a nurse, said if the nation demands trophies from the Black Queens, the media and creative industries must invest the same capital, airtime, and creativity into them as they do for the men.
She said the Black Queens are in Morocco to make the nation proud, and they must be given necessary support to encourage them perform.
Ghana’s Parliament
This lack of public enthusiasm stands in sharp contrast to the overwhelming national fervor witnessed during the Black Stars’ recent World Cup campaign.
The Black Queens are facing a dual battle: one on the pitch in Morocco, and another against systemic neglect at home.
Despite a power outage in Ho, this reporter kept track of Parliament on his phone to see if the House would once again be decorated by the national jerseys, but, it was not so.
During the men’s tournament, parliamentarians proudly wore the national team’s jerseys to plenary sessions as a powerful sign of state support.
However, as the national women’s team takes the continental stage, that same legislative floor shows no such visible solidarity. This discrepancy raises critical questions about how we value our women’s teams.
The Black Queens have consistently fought to bring honor to Ghana, and they deserve the same patriotic backing, commercial visibility, and institutional pride that we instinctively grant their male counterparts.
A Call to Action for Government
To the Government and Ministry of Sports: Invest the exact same energy, financial marketing, and promotional weight into the Black Queens that you reserve for the Black Stars.
True equity means ensuring these women feel the entire state standing behind them, not just when they win, but before they even kick a ball.
If Ghana wants its Black Queens to conquer Africa, and even the world, she must first show them that their country stands firmly behind them, from the local market of Ho to the floor of Parliament.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah