Belgium international and Manchester City star Jeremy Baffour Doku paid a courtesy visit to Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Adams, on Monday in Accra. What began as a diplomatic gesture quickly evolved into a meaningful discussion on the need for Ghana to actively track and engage football talents in the diaspora.
During the meeting, Doku, who was born in Belgium to Ghanaian parents, reaffirmed his deep connection to Ghana and expressed his eagerness to support local development efforts, particularly in sports and youth empowerment. His remarks were warmly received by the Minister, who used the occasion to issue a strong call for a renewed national focus on identifying and nurturing Ghanaian talent abroad.
“Jeremy’s journey is both inspiring and sobering,” said Hon. Adams. “It reflects the reality that many Ghanaians in the diaspora reach global heights without ever coming onto our radar. We must start identifying, tracking, and supporting these talents much earlier.”
Doku’s rise through the European football system to become one of the world’s most exciting young wingers is a testament to his ability, but also a reminder of what the Minister described as “a missed opportunity” for Ghana’s national football program. Until recently, Doku’s links to Ghana had been largely informal, underscoring the need for a more deliberate approach to diaspora engagement.
“It’s no longer enough to chase players only after they’ve made it big,” Hon. Adams emphasized. “We need to establish a structured system for scouting and maintaining relationships with players of Ghanaian descent while they’re still developing, whether they’re in Europe, North America, or elsewhere.”
Doku, who is currently enjoying his offseason break in Ghana, expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the warm reception and reiterated his desire to contribute to Ghana’s growth, especially in youth development.
“Ghana is in my heart. I’ve always been proud of my roots,” he said. “I’m committed to working with stakeholders here to support the next generation.”
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties pledging to collaborate. Doku promised to continue supporting Ghanaian youth through charitable and sporting initiatives, while the Sports Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to creating a more inclusive and proactive framework for talent development and diaspora engagement.
