The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has held engagements with clubs in the Ghana Premier League (GPL), Division One League (DOL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL) as part of efforts to strengthen youth development and create a clear pathway for young players to progress into senior football.
The meeting was led by GFA General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo, together with IT Director Francis Adu Essah and Acting Director of Competitions Maxwell Caesar Kemeh.
The engagement focused on the association’s youth integration and registration policy, which allows clubs to develop young players within their structures while giving them opportunities to compete at different levels of the game.
A key outcome of the discussions was further clarification of the registration framework that permits eligible youth players to be registered under their parent clubs while still representing their respective youth teams in organised competitions.
Under the system, which has been in place for some seasons, registered junior players can feature for both their youth sides and senior teams during the same campaign, provided they meet the regulations governing each competition.
The GFA believes the initiative will improve player development by giving young footballers more competitive exposure and helping clubs nurture talents from within their own systems.
It is also expected to strengthen the connection between youth football and Ghana’s top domestic leagues.
Several clubs have already adopted the programme, including WAFA SC, Asante Kotoko SC, Basake Holy Stars FC, FC Samartex 1996, Ridge City Ladies FC and Epiphany Warriors FC.
During the meeting, FC Samartex 1996 shared experiences from its player development model through the establishment of Samartex B, which competes in the Western Regional League.
The club explained that the initiative has helped young players gain regular playing time and smoothly transition into senior-level football.
Club representatives welcomed the policy and praised the GFA for introducing what they described as a practical approach to developing local talent while maintaining the competitiveness and integrity of domestic competitions.
The Football Association said it remains committed to implementing policies that promote youth development, improve the quality of Ghanaian football and create a sustainable structure for producing future stars.
