Second Vice Chairman of the National Juvenile Committee, Samuel Anim Addo, is urging the Ghana Football Association to appoint a psychologist for the country’s juvenile national teams.
He made the call during a stakeholder meeting involving the NJC, Technical Directorate, National Teams Department, and coaches of juvenile national sides.
Addressing the gathering, Anim Addo appealed directly to the Technical Director, Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, to make mental health and emotional development a key part of player management at the youth level.
“These young boys and girls are representing Ghana at an early age, and the pressure on them is huge,” he said. “They need more than just physical training and tactics—they need psychological support to handle expectations and transition.”
He argued that adding a psychologist to the technical staff is not just beneficial but essential for long-term success.
“If we want to raise players capable of advancing to the senior level, we must look after their mental well-being now. A psychologist should be as important to the team as a coach or physiotherapist.”
Anim Addo’s comments reflect a growing global shift in youth football, where sports psychology is being recognised as a vital part of developing strong, resilient athletes.
