In a strategic move to strengthen its ongoing efforts to grow youth football, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has named Hon. Edem Agbana, Member of Parliament for Ketu North and owner of Nukunu Sports Academy as the new Chairman of the Elite U19 Boys Championship, replacing Abdul Salam Yakubu.
Hon. Agbana has quietly been involved in football administration providing logistical and financial support to several clubs and over 70 communities in the Volta Region. He’s recognised for his support for Heritage FC, in Lead SC in Tadzewu and several other clubs at the juvenile level. He is a key supporter of the Volta Regional Football Association in several ways.
Until recently, he was the Corporate Affairs Manager of Premier League side Young Apostles FC and his passion for football and desire for perfection are seen as key drivers to help him steer affairs as the new chairman of the Elite U19 Championship.
The competition, a pioneering initiative under the GFA’s Power to the Youth policy, is designed to unearth and nurture the next generation of football talent from the grassroots level. The introduction of this competition is also in fulfilment of a pledge made by CAF 2nd Vice-President and GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku at the last Congress of the FA, held at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
The new championship targets players in the Second Division who were born between January 1 and December 31, 2007. It offers a unique platform for promising young footballers to showcase their skills and be scouted for future advancement into elite and professional football circles. This strategic intervention aligns with the GFA’s broader vision of building a sustainable football ecosystem that thrives on a strong and structured talent development pipeline.
Committee Members The newly inaugurated five-member committee comprises experienced football administrators who are passionate about talent development: Hon. Edem Agbana – Chairman Enoch Agyare Addo – Vice Chairman Edem Kofi Ansah – Member Michael Kwabla Fiaduse – Member Samuel Owusu Amoah – Member
This committee has been tasked with critical responsibilities, including: • Designing the overall competition format and fixtures • Establishing robust eligibility screening protocols to ensure fairness • Coordinating with Regional Football Associations and Second Division clubs • Promoting visibility and scouting opportunities for participating players
The championship is envisioned as a key link between grassroots and elite football, allowing the talent in the Second Division Leagues across Ghana to be given the national spotlight it deserves. The competition will not only provide high-level match experience for U19 players but also contribute to building a sustainable base for future national teams and professional clubs.
Strategic Focus - Broader Youth Development Policy This championship is a flagship addition to the GFA’s Power to the Youth agenda, a comprehensive policy framework that has brought youth football to the forefront of national football development. Through this policy, the GFA has undertaken a number of transformative initiatives, including: • The revival of Colts football nationwide • Implementation of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme • Introduction of Ghana’s first three Elite Football Academies • Creation of additional age-specific national teams to ensure age-appropriate competition and development • Investment in the Catch Them Young Refereeing Policy, aimed at developing young match officials • Provision of free coaching education for 900 Colts coaches across the country
Together, these programs have laid a strong foundation for the identification, grooming, and elevation of young talent, and the introduction of the ELITE U19 Championship represents yet another crucial step in this direction.
In the coming days, the committee is expected to roll out detailed modalities for the competition's implementation. As the GFA continues to champion youth football, the ELITE U19 Championship will serve as a dynamic platform for young players to rise through the ranks and pursue their football dreams.
Indeed, the future of Ghana football is being built today — one youth, one pitch, and one opportunity at a time.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS