Africa Cup of Nations contenders Ghana will be without star midfielder Andre Ayew when the showpiece kicks off in South Africa on January 19.

Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah has dropped the Marseille ace from his 23-man squad due to fitness concerns.

"Following Andre's inability to join the Black Stars squad by Monday morning for Ghana's team doctors to assess the extent of his injury and fitness for the tournament, I have decided to work only with the players currently in camp," Appiah said in a statement.

"All the players were given the deadline of Saturday to report to camp in Abu Dhabi; unfortunately Andre did not turn up, despite being released by his club and air tickets provided by the GFA for him to travel from France to beat the deadline.

"As he did not turn up by Saturday night, I ordered for him to be contacted over his absence, but he said he could not depart from France because he was seeing his doctors."

Appiah added: "As Andre plans to arrive on Tuesday it means he would be unable to join any of my six training sessions before CAF's Wednesday deadline for the submission of the final squad.

"In line with my vision of taking only fit players for the Africa Cup of Nations, I have decided that to work only with the players currently in camp.

"I have personally explained the rationale behind the decision to Andre and I will continue to count on him in future matches if he is fit."