President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has paid a glowing tribute to a generation of Ghanaian football stars whose journeys to the highest levels of the game began on community pitches through the country’s Colts football system.
Speaking at the launch of the 2026/27 Colts Football Season at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the GFA boss used the occasion to remind stakeholders of the profound role Colts football has played in shaping Ghana’s football history.
Before outlining the progress made in the revival of the Colts system since 2020, President Simeon-Okraku called on the football family to remember the players whose remarkable careers began in Colts football.
“Before we talk about numbers, competitions, facilities and investments, let us remember the reason Colts football matters,” the GFA President said.
He noted that Ghana’s football history is filled with exceptional players who began their journeys on small community pitches, representing Colts clubs that identified and believed in their talent long before they became household names.
Great Falcons (Great Farcos) gave Ghana the legendary Abedi Pele, three-time African Footballer of the Year and one of Ghana's greatest-ever footballers and an inspiration to generations
Among the most celebrated is the legendary Asamoah Gyan, whose journey began with Great Cedabs before he went on to become Ghana’s all-time leading scorer for the Black Stars and one of the country’s most iconic strikers.
Stephen Appiah, a celebrated Black Stars captain and influential midfielder, also came through the Colts system with Mighty Victory.
President Simeon-Okraku highlighted Fantomas FC as another important nursery of Ghanaian talent, having nurtured a remarkable group that included Sammy Kuffour, Emmanuel Duah, Jerry Akaminko, Ransford Osei and Mark Edusei.
The list of Colts graduates stretches across generations and positions.
Anokye Stars provided the foundation for legendary striker Anthony Yeboah, while Karen Stars produced Nii Odartey Lamptey, who announced himself spectacularly on the international stage as a youngster.
Ken Harrison Babes played a key role in the development of Sam Johnson, Christian Sabah, Robert Sabah and Adolph Armah, while Kotobabi Powerlines nurtured former Ghana international Yaw Preko.
The contribution of Cowlane Babies was equally significant, with the club serving as an early platform for Laryea Kingston, Aziz Ansah, Godwin Attram and Dan Quaye.
President Simeon-Okraku also recalled the contributions of other clubs that helped shape Ghanaian football, including BT International, which produced Derrick Boateng, and Owareman FC, the Colts home of accomplished Ghana international Sulley Muntari.
Among the most powerful examples of the Colts system’s impact is the story of Michael Essien.
The former Black Stars midfielder began his Colts journey with Paa Badu/Liberty Babes before developing into one of Ghana’s finest midfielders and enjoying tremendous success at the highest level of European football.
Real Republicans also contributed significantly to Ghana’s football heritage, producing Shilla Illiasu and Mohammed Gargo, while Tema Young Schweppes nurtured John Boye, who went on to represent Ghana at the highest level.
Other former Colts stars mentioned by the President Simeon-Okraku included Joe Ansah, who emerged from Arsenal Babies Colts FC; Ishmael Addo, whose football journey began with Tema Hearts Babies and Yusif Chibsah, who was developed at Kumasi Corners Babies.
And from Ashaiman Young Revelations came Thomas Teye Partey, who has established himself as one of Ghana’s outstanding midfielders and an important figure for the Black Stars.
The Colts philosophy, the GFA President stressed, lies at the heart of the Football Association’s decision to revive and restructure Colts football since 2020.
The objective is not simply to organise competitions, but to ensure that talented young players across Ghana have access to a functioning development pathway that can take them from their communities to regional football, elite development, professional football and ultimately the national teams.
GFA Communications