President of the Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has described the maiden edition of the FIFA-backed U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues as a defining moment in the evolution of women’s football in Ghana, stressing that the initiative represents far more than a routine addition to the football calendar.
Speaking at the official launch ceremony held on Friday, January 23, 2026, President Simeon-Okraku said the league marks a major milestone in Ghana’s long-term strategy to strengthen women’s football from the grassroots to the elite level.
“It gives me immense pride and a deep sense of fulfilment to officially launch the maiden edition of the FIFA-backed U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues. Today is not just another event on our calendar; it is a defining moment in our deliberate, long-term strategy to transform women’s football in Ghana from the grassroots to the highest level,” he said.
The GFA President expressed profound appreciation to FIFA for its sustained support through the Women’s Football Development Programme, noting that meaningful progress in the women’s game is driven by purposeful partnerships and strategic investment.
“This initiative is a testament to what is possible when vision, partnership and purposeful investment come together in service of development,” he added.
Reflecting on his administration’s journey since assuming office in 2019, President Simeon-Okraku reaffirmed the Association’s unwavering commitment to women’s football, highlighting deliberate and sustained investments across all levels of the game.
“We made a clear choice to move beyond rhetoric and invest strategically, structurally and sustainably. From grassroots initiatives to elite competitions, from capacity building for coaches and administrators to improved league organisation, we have worked tirelessly to build a solid foundation that will stand the test of time,” he stated.
He explained that the U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues are a natural progression of this vision, providing a structured and competitive platform for young female footballers across all ten football regions of the country.
“For the first time, young female footballers under the age of 15 now have a clear, accessible and nationally coordinated pathway into elite football,” President Simeon-Okraku said, noting that the league will enhance early talent identification, consistent player development and increased grassroots participation.
Beyond footballing outcomes, the GFA President emphasised the league’s broader social impact, describing it as a vehicle for character formation and empowerment.
“This league is about more than producing footballers. It is about shaping character… empowering young girls to believe in their potential — not only as footballers, but as leaders, professionals and role models in society,” he stressed.
He also pointed to tangible gains made in women’s football in recent years, culminating in the resurgence of the Black Queens, Ghana’s senior women’s national team.
“Our investment in women’s football is already yielding results… That progress has culminated in the resurgence and success of the Black Queens, who have once again risen to reclaim their place among Africa’s elite,” he noted.
However, President Simeon-Okraku cautioned that sustained success at the highest level is impossible without a strong grassroots foundation, describing the U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues as a critical building block for the future.
“The U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues represent the foundation upon which the next generation of the Black Maidens, Black Princesses and ultimately the Black Queens will be built. This is where dreams will be nurtured, talent refined and futures shaped,” he said.
In a message to the young players, he urged commitment, discipline and belief, while reaffirming the GFA’s resolve to support them throughout their journey.
“The Ghana Football Association is committed to walking this journey with you every step of the way,” he assured.
President Simeon-Okraku concluded by reaffirming the GFA’s vision for the future of the game in Ghana.
“This launch reaffirms our belief that the future of Ghana football is inclusive, progressive and female. We are building not just for today, but for generations yet unborn,” he said, before officially declaring the FIFA-backed U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues duly launched.
The newly introduced league is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening Ghana’s women’s football development pathway, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of talent from the grassroots to the national teams while promoting core values of discipline, teamwork and excellence.
