President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has outlined a comprehensive package of investments and initiatives aimed at strengthening Colts football and creating sustainable pathways for the next generation of Ghanaian footballers.
Addressing Congress on Thursday August 20, 2026, at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence (GSCE) in Prampram, President Simeon-Okraku reaffirmed the FA's commitment to grassroots development, announcing that the 2026 Colts Football Season will officially be launched in Accra on September 8, 2026.
The measures form part of the GFA's broader “Power to the Youth” strategy, with significant emphasis on coach education, competitions, player registration, equipment and opportunities for young players across the country.
President Simeon-Okraku revealed that the GFA has invested GHS 1.8 million over the past two seasons to train 600 Colts coaches through the GFA-funded CAF Licence D Coaching Programme.
The Football Association has also continued to provide training opportunities for scouts, referees, administrators and other stakeholders whose work supports the wider youth football ecosystem.
To further ease the financial burden on grassroots clubs, the GFA will continue to provide free player registration and digital licenses for up to 90 players per Colts club.
President Simeon-Okraku also announced the introduction of the KIVO/JLAB U-17 Inter-Clubs Champions League for the 2026/27 season.
The new competition is expected to provide another competitive platform for talented young players while strengthening the structure of inter-club youth football in Ghana.
The GFA will also repeat its dedicated investment of US$100,000 towards the purchase of footballs for second-tier, third-tier and Women's Division One League clubs.
The initiative is intended to improve access to essential training equipment and ensure that clubs have the resources required to facilitate regular player development.
The President said working with the Regional Football Associations (RFAs), the GFA will continue to support a broad range of youth competitions and festivals covering U-15, U-17 and U-19 boys' and girls' football.
The programme will include inter-district, inter-regional and inter-club championships, giving young footballers from different parts of the country more opportunities to compete and showcase their abilities.
The investment is aimed at ensuring that young female players receive opportunities comparable to their male counterparts and that the talent pool for women's football continues to expand from the grassroots.
The Football Association will further maintain its support for the Regional Colts U-17, U-15 and U-13 Championships.
Under the support package, each participating region will receive one set of jerseys, 10 footballs and GHS 10,000 to assist with the organisation and delivery of the competitions.
President Simeon-Okraku said the scale of the GFA's investment reflects the Association's determination to make youth development a central pillar of Ghana football's future.
“Our commitment is unwavering: we will continue to invest in our children today, because they are the champions who will carry the hopes of our nation tomorrow,” he said.
The range of initiatives announced at Congress represents a significant investment in the grassroots football ecosystem, combining coach education, equipment, competitions, financial assistance and structured development pathways.
GFA Communications