The Football Association, in partnership with the British High Commission in the United Kingdom, Coach Hene Club and Prince Lamona Consulting, on Wednesday, May 26, 2026, hosted an impactful and interactive Parents Engagement Session at the Ghana High Commission in the United Kingdom as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s future national teams through early talent identification and integration.
The strategic engagement brought together parents of young footballers of Ghanaian heritage born in the United Kingdom, key football stakeholders, and prominent personalities, as the Football Association deepened its commitment to building sustainable pathways for dual-national talents to represent Ghana at the international level.
Leading the high-level engagement, GFA President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, outlined the long-term vision of the Football Association in identifying, nurturing, and integrating talented UK-born players of Ghanaian descent into Ghana’s national team structures at a much earlier stage.
In a detailed presentation and lecture, President Simeon-Okraku passionately articulated the importance of foreign-born Ghanaian players embracing the opportunity to represent Ghana on the international stage, stressing the immense pride, identity, and legacy associated with wearing the national colours.
He underscored the GFA’s growing commitment to creating structured development pathways for young talents abroad, while fostering stronger relationships with families and support systems crucial to player development.
The High Commissioner of Ghana to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson, warmly welcomed parents and invited guests, commending the initiative as an important platform for strengthening connections between Ghana and its diaspora communities through football development.
She highlighted the importance of collaboration between the GFA and families in shaping the next generation of Ghanaian footballers and encouraged parents to support opportunities that preserve their children’s Ghanaian identity through football.
The initiative forms part of a broader and carefully structured talent identification programme aimed at discovering and supporting gifted young footballers of Ghanaian descent living in the UK, while guiding them through clear development pathways towards potential representation for Ghana across various national team levels.
Former Black Stars midfielder, Michael Essien, lauded the Football Association and its partners for initiating the programme, describing it as a vital intervention for the future of Ghana football. Drawing from his vast experience, Essien shared words of encouragement with parents and young players, emphasizing the importance of commitment, discipline, and early planning in football development.
Also contributing to the discussions was Dela Efua Dzebu, mother of Ghana international Antoine Semenyo, who stressed the importance of early integration into Ghana’s football structures and maintaining strong ties to the country from a young age.
As part of the wider programme, a new talent identification initiative targeted at promising footballers of Ghanaian descent living in the United Kingdom, is scheduled to take place on May 27 and 28, 2026, as Ghana seeks to expand its talent pool and strengthen pathways for future national teams.
The scouting programme is expected to provide young talents with opportunities to be assessed and monitored within a structured framework aimed at supporting their long-term football development and potential inclusion in Ghana’s national team system.
The engagement session attracted several notable personalities and family representatives connected to Ghana football, including the family of the late Christian Atsu, represented by Mrs. Christian Atsu and her children, as well as Ahmed Lamptey, father of Ghana international Tariq Lamptey.
Also present were GFA Technical Director, Joseph Kwame Mintah, and the GFA's Head of Talent Identification, Steward McLaren, both of whom continue to play instrumental roles in Ghana’s long-term player development strategy.
GFA Communications