The Ghana Football Association has intensified efforts to identify and integrate young footballers of Ghanaian heritage born in the United Kingdom into its national team system following an engagement session held at the Ghana High Commission in London.
The event, organised in collaboration with the British High Commission in the United Kingdom, Coach Hene Club and Prince Lamona Consulting, formed part of a wider strategy aimed at strengthening Ghana’s future national teams through early talent identification and long-term player development.
Held on Wednesday, 26 May 2026, the programme brought together parents of UK-born footballers of Ghanaian descent, football officials and other key stakeholders as the Football Association outlined plans to create clearer pathways for dual-national players to represent Ghana internationally.
Leading the discussions was GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, who presented the association’s long-term vision for identifying and nurturing young talents abroad. He stressed the importance of integrating players into Ghana’s football structures at an early stage while encouraging foreign-born players of Ghanaian descent to embrace the opportunity to play for the country.
During his presentation, Simeon-Okraku highlighted the sense of pride, identity and legacy attached to representing Ghana at international level. He also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the Football Association and families, describing parental support as an important part of player development.
The High Commissioner of Ghana to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Sabah Zita Benson, welcomed attendees and praised the initiative as an important step in strengthening ties between Ghana and its diaspora communities through football.
She encouraged parents to support opportunities that would allow their children to maintain strong connections with their Ghanaian heritage while pursuing football careers.
The programme is part of a broader talent identification strategy focused on discovering gifted young footballers of Ghanaian descent living in the UK. Officials say the initiative is intended to guide players through structured development pathways that could eventually lead to representation at different levels of Ghana’s national teams.
Former Ghana national football team midfielder Michael Essien also addressed participants, praising the Football Association and its partners for introducing the programme.
Essien described the initiative as important for the future of Ghana football and used his experience in the game to encourage both parents and young players. He stressed the importance of discipline, commitment and careful planning in the development of young footballers.
Also contributing to the discussions was Dela Efua Dzebu, the mother of Ghana international Antoine Semenyo. She highlighted the value of introducing young players to Ghana’s football structures early and maintaining close ties with the country throughout their development.
As part of the wider programme, the Football Association is expected to stage a talent identification initiative on 27 and 28 May 2026 targeting promising players of Ghanaian descent based in the United Kingdom.
The scouting exercise is designed to assess and monitor emerging talents within a structured framework that supports long-term development and possible inclusion in Ghana’s national team system.
Several notable personalities connected to Ghana football attended the event, including the family of the late Christian Atsu, represented by Mrs Christian Atsu and her children, as well as Ahmed Lamptey, father of Ghana international Tariq Lamptey.
Also present were Joseph Kwame Mintah and Steward McLaren, both of whom continue to play key roles in the association’s long-term player development plans.
