The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced plans to sustain and expand its investment in Colts football and youth development programmes nationwide for the 2025/26 season. The move forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Ghana’s football structure from the grassroots, according to GFA President Kurt Okraku.
Speaking at the 31st Ordinary Congress in Pampram on Tuesday, Okraku outlined a series of key interventions aimed at nurturing young talent and enhancing the capacity of those involved in youth football.
Among the initiatives, the GFA will offer free registration for the first 30 players in each Colts age category (U-13, U-15, U-17) per club, cover officiating fees, and continue free training for 900 Colts coaches over a three-year period, now in its second year.
Additional programmes will include capacity-building workshops for District Football Association (DFA) administrators, specialised training for DFA media officers, and first aid courses for DFA and Regional Football Association (RFA) staff.
To further motivate participation and competition, the Association will provide medals, plaques, and trophies for RFA competitions, maintain KGL sponsorship for the U-17 Colts Championship, and deliver training for regional scouts and development coaches.
In a significant boost for girls’ football, each RFA will receive GHS 80,000 to run an eight-club U-15 Girls League this season. The GFA will also continue funding the U-17, U-15, and U-13 Regional Colts Championships, supplying each participating region with one set of jerseys, 10 footballs, and GHS 10,000 in financial support per age category. For the Women’s Division One League, each regional champion will receive a trophy, 10 footballs, and GHS 10,000 in prize money.
“We believe the future of Ghana football lies in our ability to develop, nurture, and protect talent from the grassroots,” Okraku stated. “These investments are about building a system that will consistently produce the next generation of football stars.”
According to the GFA, the package is designed to create a steady pipeline of talent for domestic leagues and national teams, ensuring Ghana remains competitive on the global football stage.
