GFA chief Okraku unveils major Colts investment and youth plan

Ghana Football Association president Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has announced a broad investment programme for Colts football and youth development in Ghana. The plans were presented at the GFA’s 32nd Ordinary Congress at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

The association’s 2026 Colts Football Season will be launched in Accra on September 8. The programme is part of the GFA’s “Power to the Youth” strategy, which places grassroots development at the centre of its long-term plans and covers coaching, competitions, registration, equipment and player progression.

Coach development is a major part of the investment. The GFA has spent GHS 1.8 million over the last two seasons to train 600 Colts coaches through its CAF Licence D Coaching Programme. It is also providing training opportunities for scouts, referees, administrators and other officials connected to youth football.

Colts clubs will continue to receive free player registration and digital licences for as many as 90 players per club. The 2026/27 season will also feature the new KIVO/JLAB U-17 Inter-Clubs Champions League, adding another competition for young players and clubs.

The GFA plans to spend a further US$100,000 on footballs for second-tier, third-tier and Women’s Division One League clubs. In partnership with Regional Football Associations, it will also stage boys’ and girls’ competitions and festivals at U-15, U-17 and U-19 level, including inter-district, inter-regional and inter-club events.

Girls’ football will receive GHS 800,000 for the Elite Under-15 Girls Regional Colts League. The GFA will maintain support for the Regional Colts U-17, U-15 and U-13 Championships, with each participating region receiving a jersey set, 10 footballs and GHS 10,000 for organising the competitions. The package is intended to strengthen the pathway from grassroots football to higher levels of the game across Ghana.