Ghanaian football is preparing for another domestic season with the GFA promising more support for clubs, women’s football and former national team stars. President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku used the GFA Congress in Prampram to announce a major welfare fund and a wide support package for the domestic game.
The biggest announcement was the new GFA Foundation Player Welfare Initiative. The programme will provide US$50,000 every year for four years, creating a total healthcare commitment of US$200,000 for former national team players.
Simeon-Okraku said the move was about remembering those who once carried Ghana’s hopes on their shoulders. “Our former national team players brought immense pride and glory to Ghana through their dedication, sacrifice and service to the nation,” he said.
He added that many former stars now face serious health challenges after their playing careers. The new fund is designed to give eligible former internationals support when they need it most.
But the GFA’s plans go beyond former Black Stars players. The Division One League will receive a support package worth about GHS16.24 million, with each of the 48 clubs receiving GHS120,000.
The GFA will also continue to pay referees’ and Match Commissioners’ fees. Each Division One club will receive 30 footballs, giving teams some breathing room as they prepare for the demands of the new campaign.
Women’s football will also receive a boost. Each of the 20 Women’s Premier League clubs will get GHS100,000 and 30 pairs of football boots, while the GFA will cover match officials’ fees and provide fuel support through Melcom and Goil.
The financial help matters because lower-tier and women’s clubs often operate with limited resources. By covering key matchday costs, the GFA can allow clubs to focus more on player development, competition and professionalism.
There was also praise for clubs that have invested in their own facilities. Simeon-Okraku highlighted improvements in dressing rooms, sanitation, security, spectator areas and media facilities, saying the changes are creating football environments that are “safer, more professional, and more welcoming”.
The message from Prampram was clear. Ghanaian football needs stronger foundations, and this season the GFA wants to build them from the grassroots to the legends who helped shape the game.
