GFA Commits $100K to Colts Football in Major Grassroots Push

In a major step toward revitalising youth football in Ghana, the Ghana Football Association (GFA), under the leadership of President Kurt Okraku, has announced a $100,000 investment into Colts football. The initiative is aimed at energising grassroots football development, with a focus on equipping young teams with the tools and resources they need to thrive.

This funding, made possible through FIFA’s Forward Program, will be used primarily to provide footballs and other essential equipment to Colts teams across the country. It forms part of a broader strategy to rebuild Ghana’s football structure from the ground up by nurturing talent at the grassroots level.

“We’ve committed $100,000 to support Colts football in Ghana,” President Okraku revealed. “This will go into supplying footballs and providing critical support to help develop youth football. A separate $100,000 has also been earmarked for Division Two, Division Three, and the Women’s League to ensure development across all levels of the game.”

The investment represents a renewed focus on Colts football, a system once regarded as the heartbeat of Ghana’s football development. For years, Colts leagues served as the foundation of the national football pipeline, producing many of the country’s most celebrated players. However, the system has struggled in recent decades due to lack of funding and structural neglect.

Okraku’s administration has consistently voiced its commitment to bringing back the vibrancy of Colts football. This recent financial intervention is part of a broader plan to restore credibility and competitiveness at the grassroots level, ultimately ensuring that young footballers have a clear and supported path toward professional careers.

The initiative also underscores the GFA’s desire to build a more inclusive football ecosystem. By supporting lower-tier leagues and the Women’s League alongside Colts teams, the association hopes to promote balanced growth and equal opportunities across all sectors of the game.

“Our goal is not just to strengthen the top of the football pyramid,” Okraku noted. “It is to ensure that every layer—especially the base—is supported so that talent can be identified, nurtured, and advanced. That’s how we build a stronger, more sustainable future for Ghanaian football.”

The $100,000 investment in Division Two, Division Three, and women’s football is expected to provide a critical boost to clubs in these divisions, many of which have struggled to operate consistently due to financial challenges. The GFA believes that direct funding will enhance competition, improve club organisation, and expand access to the sport in communities that have traditionally been underserved.

By targeting resources where they’re most needed, the GFA is working to close the gap between amateur and professional football in Ghana. The funding will support operational costs, logistics, and equipment provision—key barriers that often hinder progress for teams outside the elite leagues.

This initiative is part of the larger FIFA Forward Program, which provides financial support and capacity-building resources to member associations to improve football infrastructure and development worldwide. Ghana’s decision to focus a significant portion of its FIFA allocation on grassroots initiatives has been widely applauded by stakeholders who believe the future of Ghanaian football depends on sustainable development at the community level.

The GFA’s recent actions reflect a growing consensus that long-term success in football must be rooted in solid youth structures. By investing in Colts football and supporting emerging leagues, the association is planting the seeds for the next generation of football talent.

As this initiative rolls out across the country, it is expected to breathe new life into local clubs, reignite passion among young players, and lay the foundation for Ghana to reclaim its place as one of Africa’s top football nations.