President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has pledged to consolidate recent gains in Ghana football while addressing persistent challenges, unveiling a wide range of reforms and development initiatives at the Association’s 31st Ordinary Congress held at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.

Delivering his address under the theme “Winning the 12th Man, Youth Empowerment & Consolidating Our Gains”, Mr Okraku reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, grassroots growth, and elevating Ghana’s standing in global football.

He opened the session with a solemn tribute to departed football icons, including Ghana’s first AFCON goal scorer, Wilberforce Kwadwo Mfum, and other former administrators, journalists, and club leaders.

Mr Okraku highlighted achievements over the past year, including international representation by clubs like FC Samartex in the CAF Champions League and Nsoatreman FC in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Youth and women’s teams also shone, with the U-15 girls’ side winning gold at both zonal and continental CAF African Schools Football Championships, and the Black Queens securing bronze at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Domestically, all national competitions — from the Premier League to Beach Soccer and Futsal — were completed successfully for the sixth consecutive season. Capacity-building remained central, with over 750 coaches and 2,561 young referees trained through the Catch Them Young policy.

He revealed that in the football governing body's bid to professionalise the game, the GFA introduced the Standard Player Contract, set to become mandatory from the 2025/26 season, alongside new Media and Marketing Regulations and a Football Academy Licensing framework to standardise and regulate talent development.

The Prampram technical centre is currently undergoing significant upgrades, including a new multi-purpose court and gym, natural grass pitches, and a forthcoming 40-bed accommodation facility with projects 75 and 95% complete.

He added that the Bus Acquisition Strategy will continue to reward successful clubs. With 13 buses presented to Division One League and Women’s Premier League champions, and eight pickup trucks supplied to Regional Football Associations, the FA will provide more for other clubs.

Mr Okraku who was recently appointed the second vice president of CAF described referees as the “unseen backbone” of football, before announcing enhanced welfare measures, including insurance cover for all referees, increased match fees, uniforms, boots, and subsidised travel through a partnership with STC.

He emphasised integrity and perception challenges, warning against hooliganism and urging collective action to protect match officials.

The GFA will enforce mandatory inclusion of U-19 players in matchday squads across the GPL, Division One, and Division Two leagues from next season. Support for Colts football, regional championships, and elite academies in Bolgatanga, Prempeh College, and Achimota will continue, with $200,000 worth of footballs to be distributed nationwide.

The GFA President renewed calls for reforms to allow regulated alcoholic beverage sponsorships, arguing that such partnerships have boosted competitions like the UEFA Champions League globally.

He proposed a betting tax redistribution to fund football development, VAT reductions for clubs, tax exemptions on football equipment, and corporate tax incentives for sponsors.

The FA President concluded by calling for unity among stakeholders, saying:

“The strength of Ghana football lies in the unity of its stakeholders. Let us protect the integrity of the game, develop our talents, support our clubs, and raise the standard of our competitions.”

The 31st Ordinary Congress also saw members deliberate on key policy issues, including the extension of the GFA President’s tenure from two to three terms — a motion that was approved with 114 votes in favour, three abstentions, and six against.

The association will also now have two vice-presidents, of whom one shall be a woman.