GFA president renews Power to the Youth plan at 32nd Congress

Ghana Football Association president Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has reaffirmed the Power to the Youth policy at the association’s 32nd Ordinary Congress. The plan will organise player development through Under-13, Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 levels as Ghana seeks a more reliable route from grassroots football to the professional game.

Speaking at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Thursday, Simeon-Okraku said Ghana’s football future required planned investment, effective policy and consistent work rather than reliance on the emergence of exceptional talents. He presented youth development as a central part of the GFA’s long-term domestic and national-team strategy.

The Colts System remains the base of the programme. The GFA intends to identify promising players early, support their technical and personal development, and provide stronger competition as they move between age groups. Education, discipline and personal growth will form part of the development model alongside football ability.

A new UMB Under-19 League is also planned as a pilot involving affiliated professional clubs and accredited academies. The competition is intended to improve the difficult step from youth football to the senior game by giving players regular, high-level matches in an environment focused on their development.

The association will continue applying its mandatory Youth Integration policy in the Ghana Premier League, Women’s Premier League, Division One and Division Two Leagues. The policy requires young Ghanaian players to receive meaningful senior-level opportunities, ensuring that development does not stop at youth competitions.

Simeon-Okraku also recognised support from KGL, KIVO, MTN, UMB and FIFA, including resources provided through the FIFA Forward Programme. The backing is expected to assist competitions, logistics, infrastructure and player development across Ghana’s football structure as the GFA implements the renewed youth framework.