President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku opens FIFA Amateur Football Analysis programme in Accra

President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has opened a two-day FIFA Amateur Football Environment Analysis programme in Accra, bringing together key football stakeholders to assess the state of amateur football globally and in Ghana and explore opportunities to strengthen the development pathway.

The programme, which runs from August 25 to 26, 2026, is being held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra and is led by FIFA Technical Experts Ali Mwebe and Serame Ezekiel Letsoaka, who is responsible for amateur football in Africa. They are working with the support of the Ghana Football Association’s Technical Directorate.

In his opening remarks, President Simeon-Okraku, who also serves as the 2nd CAF Vice-President, welcomed the FIFA officials and participants to the programme. The first day brought together members of the GFA Executive Council, Management and staff of the Football Association for detailed sessions on the amateur football environment.

Among those in attendance were Executive Council members Frederick Acheampong, Kingsley Osei Bonsu and Samuel Aboabire, alongside General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo.

Deputy General Secretaries Ama Brobey-Williams (Administration), Alex Asante, responsible for National Teams, and Francis Adu, Director of IT, also participated in the programme, together with GFA Technical Director Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah and Head of Coach Education Dr. Prosper Nartey Ogum.

The second day, Wednesday, August 26, will broaden the engagement to include a wide range of external stakeholders whose work and responsibilities intersect with amateur football development in Ghana.

Representatives from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, National Sports Authority, Ministry of Education, Ghana Olympic Committee and Ghana Education Service are expected to participate.

Also scheduled to take part are representatives of the Women’s Football Committee, various leagues, Sporting Media, Medical Committee, Referees Committee, coaches of the junior national teams, Beach Soccer, Futsal Committee and football academies.

The broader stakeholder participation is intended to provide an opportunity for key institutions and practitioners to share perspectives, identify challenges and explore practical areas for collaboration in developing amateur football.

The FIFA presentation is providing valuable insights into the global amateur football environment, while examining Ghana’s structures, activities and development landscape.

The sessions are expected to give stakeholders a deeper understanding of how amateur football is organised and developed across different environments, while creating space for discussions on areas where Ghana can strengthen its systems and maximise opportunities for young players.

Beyond the presentations, the programme is designed to facilitate meaningful interaction among stakeholders, allowing participants to share their knowledge, experiences and expertise with FIFA and Ghanaian football authorities.

GFA Communications