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Kurt Okraku priorities youth football as GFA continues to build for the future

GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, announced to delegates at Congress on Tuesday August 27, 2024 that the Association will fully place youth football at the top of the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) development agenda.

The GFA has already unveiled a comprehensive strategy to rejuvenate the grassroots,  aimed at strengthening the very foundation of Ghana football.

The strategy, which is already in motion, embodies the GFA’s commitment to ensuring the enduring vitality of the sport across all levels.

Addressing delegates at the 2024 convocation of Congress at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Tuesday, President Simeon-Okraku underscored the importance of placing youth football at the top of the pyramid.

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“It is critical for all of us who invest in Ghana Football to understand the need to invest more in our youth. We, therefore, need to institute policies that support clubs to develop talent in a competitive way so as to make our leagues attractive.” he told the delegates.

With his extensive background in Football Management and broad knowledge about the nuances of the sport, President Simeon-Okraku has a deep understanding of how to lead Ghana football along the lines of revitalising youth football in the country.

The Ghana Football Association has initiated several policies and programmes targeted at youth development and empowerment across all levels in the country. These interventions include the training of about 1,600 young referees under the unique Catch Them Young Refereeing policy and the introduction of the novel Elite National Girls U15 Challenge Cup (developed in line with FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme [TDS]) to develop top talent and enhance Ghana Football.

The GFA has also announced plans to collaborate with the Regional Football Associations to introduce Inter-District U-15 and U-17 festivals for boys and girls and continue the path of improving the KGL Foundation U-17 National Championship, Girls U-15 Inter Regional Challenge  Cup while introducing a national U-17 Girls Challenge Cup.

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The GFA aims to leverage Ghana’s massive pool of potential talent to boost on-pitch success at the domestic, continental and international levels as President Simeon-Okraku and the Executive Council remain keenly engaged on the youth development agenda.

The FA’s sharpening focus on youth football falls in tandem with FIFA’s announcement that the girls’ and boys’ FIFA U-17 World Cup will now be annual events from 2025, giving the very best young talents in every country the opportunity to shine on the global stage.

The GFA has outlined a set of key objectives geared towards enhancing participation and engagement at the grassroots level. The strategy prioritises opportunities for both male and female teenagers, emphasizing on inclusivity and accessibility to underscore the FA’s dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive Ghanaian football landscape and thus nurture young talents and instill good values and passion for the game in them.

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Premier League:Gold Stars FC storm to top; Kotoko smash Vison; Hearts of Lions shocked at home

Gold Stars FC stormed to the top of the Premier League with a sensational 3-0 win at Accra Lions on Sunday January 19, 2025.

The visitors were at their very best as they run riot against the struggling Premier League side to leapfrog Heart of Lions at the top of the table.

Samuel Attah Kumi bagged a remarkable hat-trick to hand the Miners their biggest away win of the season and their 9th in total so far this term. He scored in the 14th, 44th and 46th minute as the visitors recorded the heavy win at the WAF Park in Sogakope.

Kwame Opoku bagged a brace for Asante Kotoko as they thumped Vision FC 4-1 to move within touching distance of leaders Gold Stars FC.

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Opoku opened the scoring as early as the 6th minute before Nana Akwesi Amoah pulled parity for the visitors in the 22nd minute.

Peter Amidu restored Kotoko’s lead with the second goal before Kwame Opoku added the third in the 37th minute. Saaka Dauda completed the rout with the fourth goal in the 44th minute.

Kotoko are now third with 31 points, just two adrift of leaders Bibiani Gold Stars FC. Vision FC lie 11th in the table with 19 points.

Defending champions FC Samartex 1996 drew goalless with Hearts of Oak at home on Sunday.

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The two teams failed to break each other down as they shared the points at the Nsenkyire Arena.

Hearts have dropped to 5th while Samartex find themselves in mid-table.

Nations FC dented Heart of Lions’ Premier League title charge after recording a 1-0 win at the Kpando Stadium.

Di Boris Djangone scored the decisive goal in the 82nd minute to separate the two teams. This is Lions’ first defeat at home this season as they are leapfrogged at the top by Gold Stars FC.

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Heart of Lions have slipped to fourth while Nations jump to second in the Premier League table.

Eric Osei Bonsu scored from the spot to give Nsoatreman FC a vital 1-0 win over Karela United at home on Sunday.

Osei Bonsu scored the decisive goal in the 52nd minute to give Yaw Preko’s side a respite after a turbulent 2024-25 campaign.

Karela United have dropped into the bottom three while Nsoatreman have jumped to 12th in the league table.

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Berekum Chelsea left it late to record a 2-1 win over Medeama SC in a dramatic Premier League game on Sunday.

Stephen Amankona opened the scoring for the home side in the first half before Yussif Mubarik pulled parity for the visitors through the spot kick six minute into injury time.

However, captain Zackaria Fuseini stole the headlines when he scored the winner with the last kick of the ball.

Basake Holy Stars shared the spoils with Aduana FC in an entertaining 1-1 draw in the Premier League on Sunday.

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The Fire Club went ahead in the first half before Bismark Teye pulled parity in the 86th minute at the Ampain AAK Arena.

Legon Cities thrashed Dreams FC 3-0 at home on Sunday to continue their push for survival.

Goals from Fredrick Akatuk, Frank Akoto and Kabu Agyemang Raymond condemned Dreams to their 7th defeat of the season.

The Royals remain in the bottom three while Dreams FC are just above the drop zone.

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Bechem United continued their fine performances in the Premier League with a solid 0-0 stalemate at Young Apostles in the Bono derby on Sunday.

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New Black Stars Management Committee

The Football Association is pleased to announce the formation of a new Management Committee for the Senior Male National Team, the Black Stars.

The Committee, which is tasked with overseeing the administrative and logistical aspects of the team, will be chaired by Dr. Randy Abbey, an Executive Council member of the GFA. In addition to chairing the Committee, Dr. Abbey shall lead engagement with Government and other stakeholders. Mr. Stephen Appiah, a former Captain of the Black Stars, will serve as Vice-Chairman, supporting Dr. Abbey, while also focusing on Player Relations.

Other members of the Committee include Mr. Samuel Aboabire, Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Football Association and an Executive Council member of the GFA and Mr. Moses Armah, President of Medeama Sporting Club.

Both Messrs Aboabire and Armah shall be responsible for Operations and Matchday activities while ensuring that the interests of Sponsors, Partners and other Collaborators are well taken care of. Mr. Richard Nsenkyire, President of FC Samartex 1996, the 2023/2024 Ghana Premier League Champions is Member responsible for Special Duties.

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The Management Committee’s duties will include the overall effective management and setting the strategic plan and activities of the team, serving as a link between the Technical Team and the GFA, ensuring adequate camping arrangements, providing logistical support, and paying regular visits to the team in camp.

The Committee shall, in consultation with the Head Coach and Technical team, prepare and ensure the team’s adherence to Activity Schedules for all matches and tournaments.

Additionally, the Committee will be responsible for following up on the release of funds for team operations from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, ensuring the best travelling arrangements are in place, and that members of the team act in a manner worthy of Ambassadors of Ghana. Furthermore, the Management Committee shall ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are put in place for the effective management and support of the playing body and officials of the team; as well as for the maintenance of a cordial relationship between the Committee, the Technical team and the playing body.

The Committee shall also interface with the Marketing and Communications Departments of the GFA to ensure effective and efficient delivery of all commitments to Sponsors and Partners and seamless communication about the team respectively.

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The GFA is confident that the new Management Committee will bring the necessary expertise and experience to support the Black Stars in their quest for success.

“We are excited to announce the formation of this new Management Committee, which brings together a team of experienced and dedicated individuals who are passionate about Ghana football,” GFA President, Kurt E.S. Okraku.

He added, “We are confident that they will work tirelessly to support the Black Stars and ensure their success.”

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