The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Joe Aggrey, has declared that the country's local professionals would dominate the Senior National Team, the Black Stars.

The country has for some time relied heavily on the talents of her foreign based professionals. The move has been heavily criticised by some sports administrators and coaches.

"The policy on Premier and Division one leagues would be reviewed and made more rewarding and lucrative to be able to retain our football stars who would serve as the core of the Black Stars," he added.

Mr Aggrey, who was answering Parliamentary questions said: "Ghana has young and skilful players, who when given the necessary technical direction and training would in future be among the best in the World."

He said a coach to be engaged for the national team would be required to tour all league centres and make his own selection for the predominately local squad to be put together for a considerable length of time to enhance co-ordination and understanding.

"It must be stated that as much as possible we shall not rely heavily on foreign based players, most of whom are unable to train with the team before playing crucial matches."

He said management and technical personnel of the national teams would be given the free hand to handle all disciplinary issues concerning the team to ensure that players remain dedicated to national goals and aspirations.

The Deputy Minister said the ministry's policy direction of football is now youth oriented and that youth programmes would be vigorously pursued. "It is our intention to place more emphasis on the selection process of the youth teams. No short cuts would be tolerated. Participation in youth teams should be the means to an end and not the other way round as has been the case in the past."

Mr Aggrey said the National Sports College would be upgraded and made the hub for the camping of all national football teams.

On the monitoring of players, he said Ghana Football Association (GFA) technical directorate would be revamped to monitor the performance of players of the National Teams for the form guide.

"Website for all our national teams would be developed at the Directorate to promote our performance internationally and provide a cheaper and easier but reliable way of contacting our foreign based players".

The Deputy Minister said a "think tank" made up of renowned technical brains in football would be formed to offer technical advice and other forms of assistance to the coaches of the national teams. The Marketing Department of the National Sports Council is also to be strengthened to make it more purposeful in their quest to solicit funds for the teams.

"Once the national teams are well catered for, through other sources, government could augment the winning bonus and other incentive packages," added the deputy Minister, who also announced that his ministry intends to institute adequate individual and group insurance cover in respect of injuries sustained while playing for any of the national teams.