President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns over the early sale of promising Ghanaian footballers, saying the practice is weakening the standard of the domestic league.

He called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and club administrators to work together to keep talented players in the local league for longer periods.

“We are too quick to sell our players. As soon as a player shows promise, scouts take him away, mostly to Europe, and that depletes the quality of our local league,” President Mahama said.

Speaking during a courtesy call by a joint delegation from Ghana Premier League champions Medeama SC, Nations FC and Ampem Darkoa Ladies FC, he said Ghana should give its young talents more time to develop locally.

“We must find a way to keep our talented players longer, give them opportunities in the national team, allow them to gain international experience, and then let them move abroad after they have matured,” he stated.

President Mahama said keeping promising players longer would help strengthen the domestic league while giving the players opportunities to gain experience at the international level.

He also called for greater attention to the development of local football as part of efforts to improve the standard of the game in Ghana.