The Football Association on Friday, January 23, 2026, officially launched the maiden edition of the FIFA U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues at the headquarters of Ghana’s football governing body, marking a major milestone in the country’s women’s football development pathway.
Rolled out under FIFA’s Women’s Football Development Programme, the colourful ceremony brought together key stakeholders in the women’s game, including FIFA Consultant Thuba Sibanda, members of the GFA Executive Council, Regional Football Association Chairmen, technical experts, footballers and administrators.
Welcoming participants, GFA General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo underscored the importance of collective ownership and collaboration in ensuring the long-term success of the initiative, urging all stakeholders to remain committed to nurturing young female talent across the country.
In his keynote address, GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku expressed profound gratitude to FIFA for its continued support, describing the initiative as a product of vision, partnership and purposeful investment.
“I wish to begin by expressing our profound appreciation to FIFA for its continued support through the Women’s Football Development Programme. This initiative is a testament to what is possible when vision, partnership and purposeful investment come together in service of development,” he said.
President Simeon-Okraku highlighted the deliberate and sustained investments made in women’s football since his administration assumed office in 2019.
“Since assuming office in 2019, my administration has been unwavering in its commitment to women’s football. We made a clear choice to move beyond rhetoric and invest strategically, structurally and sustainably,” he stated.
He noted that the U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues provide, for the first time, a nationally coordinated and accessible development pathway for young female footballers.
“This league provides a structured and competitive platform for young girls across all 10 football regions of our country, ensuring early talent identification, consistent development and increased participation. For the first time, young female footballers under the age of 15 now have a clear, accessible and nationally coordinated pathway into elite football,” he added.
Beyond football development, President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the broader social impact of the league.
“This league is about more than producing footballers. It is about shaping character. It is about instilling discipline, teamwork, confidence and excellence. It is about empowering young girls to believe in their potential — not only as footballers, but as leaders, professionals and role models in society,” he said.
He further pointed to the visible progress made across the women’s football ecosystem, culminating in the resurgence of the senior national team.
“Our investment in women’s football is already yielding results… That progress has culminated in the resurgence and success of our senior national team, the Black Queens, who have once again risen to reclaim their place among Africa’s elite,” he noted.
President Simeon-Okraku stressed that sustainable success at the top must be anchored on strong grassroots foundations.
“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.
He concluded with a rallying call to players and stakeholders alike, reaffirming the GFA’s long-term commitment to women’s football.
“The Ghana Football Association is committed to walking this journey with you every step of the way… This launch reaffirms our belief that the future of Ghana football is inclusive, progressive and female.” he declared.
The U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues are designed to provide a structured and competitive platform for young female footballers nationwide, with a strong focus on talent identification, long-term player development and increased grassroots participation. The initiative also promotes core values such as discipline, teamwork, and excellence while ensuring a smoother transition from grassroots football to elite levels.
The event was also attended by Brong Ahafo Regional Football Association chairman, Dr. Charles Osei Anto, who also doubles as Chairman of the U15 Girls Management Committee, Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, Technical Director of the GFA, alongside Regional FA Chairmen and other key stakeholders, all united in their commitment to shaping a sustainable future for women’s football in Ghana.
