You need to encourage your kids to represent Ghana – Antoine Semenyo’s Mother to diaspora Parents
The mother of Antoine Semenyo has spoken candidly about the emotional struggle many diaspora families face when encouraging their children to represent Ghana instead of European nations.
Speaking at an event, Dela Dzebu shared the deeply personal journey behind her son’s decision to play for the Black Stars, describing it as a battle of identity, culture and belonging.
“The emotional journey is difficult, but you don’t stop. It’s been resilient,” she said.
“Knowing that being in the diaspora and seeing what happens on the streets around us, trust me, it’s hard.”
Dzebu revealed that one of the defining moments came when her son questioned why he should choose Ghana over England, where he was born and raised.
“He asked me, ‘Why do I have to play for Ghana?’” she recalled.
“And honestly, at that moment, I struggled for words. I thought to myself, ‘In Ghana nothing works.’ Then he said, ‘If nothing works, why do I have to play for Ghana?’”
But despite her doubts, Dzebu said her response ultimately came from a place of emotion and identity rather than convenience.
“I told him he would feel proud to be part of the Ghanaian journey,” she said.
“Football in the UK, for me, is about the boots. Football in Ghana is about blood; it’s about pride, it’s about legacy, it’s about your roots.”
The proud mother described the unforgettable moment she watched her son wear the Black Stars jersey for the first time, saying it was one of the greatest experiences of her life.
“As a parent, what you feel when he wears his jersey for the first time and the crowd is roaring, you cannot put it into words. It’s amazing.”
Dzebu also used the opportunity to encourage other Ghanaian parents living abroad to remain patient and persistent when guiding their children through similar decisions.
“You just need to encourage your kids,” she said.
“Listen, you will never regret it. It’s amazing on a very grand scale.”
Her remarks have resonated with many Ghanaian families in the diaspora, where questions of identity and national allegiance continue to shape the future of football talent across generations.
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