Former Black Stars midfielder Derek Boateng has voiced his disagreement with coach Otto Addo's decision to exclude captain Andre Ayew from the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
The omission of Ayew from the 26-man squad has sparked a heated debate among fans and former players alike.
Boateng, who himself represented Ghana in the past, believes that Ayew's recent performances for his club, Le Havre, warranted his inclusion in the national team.
The 34-year-old midfielder has been instrumental in helping his club avoid relegation in the French Ligue 1, scoring five goals along the way.
"For me, if you talk about players in good shape at their club level right now, he is one of them," Boateng told Joy Sports.
"A player like Dede Ayew has to be in the team even if you're not starting him. He has to be there.
"His influence in the national team is significant. Some of the players are very close to him and they listen to him a lot. I respect the coach's decision, but for me, he has to be in the squad."
Ayew, who holds the record for the most appearances for Ghana with 120 caps since his debut in 2007, has been a key figure for the team over the years.
The Black Stars are set to face the Central African Republic in their next World Cup qualifying match at the Baba Yara Stadium.
Ghana currently sits in third place in the qualifying series, following a 2-1 victory over Mali in Bamako.