- GFA Deepens Diaspora Talent Drive With UK Parents Engagement Initiative
The Ghana Football Association has intensified efforts to secure the future of Ghanaian football by engaging the families of UK-born players of Ghanaian descent as part of a broader talent identification and integration programme in the United Kingdom.
In partnership with the British High Commission, Coach Hene Club and Prince Lamona Consulting, the GFA hosted an interactive Parents Engagement Session at the Ghana High Commission in London.
The initiative forms part of a long-term strategy to strengthen Ghana’s national teams by identifying, developing and integrating dual-national players at earlier stages of their football journeys.
GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku led the engagement, outlining the Association’s vision to build clearer pathways for young players of Ghanaian heritage who are developing within the UK football system.
Addressing parents, stakeholders and invited guests, Simeon-Okraku stressed the pride, responsibility and opportunity that come with representing Ghana internationally.
He said the FA is committed to building stronger relationships with families, recognising the critical role parents play in shaping the choices, identity and long-term development of young footballers.
The initiative comes at a time when global competition for dual-national talents has intensified, with several football associations seeking to secure promising players early before they become tied to other national teams.
For Ghana, the diaspora has become an increasingly important talent base. Several players born or developed abroad have represented the Black Stars and other national teams in recent years, reinforcing the need for a more structured engagement model between the FA, families, scouts and technical handlers.
Also addressing the gathering was Sabah Zita Benson, who praised the initiative as an important platform for strengthening ties between Ghana and its diaspora community through football.
She encouraged parents to support opportunities that allow their children to maintain a strong Ghanaian identity while pursuing professional football careers abroad.
Former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien also backed the programme, describing it as an important investment in the future of Ghana football. Drawing from his own experience at the highest level, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder urged parents and young players to remain disciplined, committed and focused on long-term development.
Among those who contributed to the discussions was Dela Efua Dzebu, mother of Ghana international Antoine Semenyo. She highlighted the importance of exposing young players to Ghana’s football culture early and maintaining strong connections to their roots.
The event also drew notable personalities connected to Ghana football, including the family of the late Christian Atsu, represented by his wife and children, as well as Ahmed Lamptey, father of Ghana international Tariq Lamptey.
Technical experts, including Joseph Kwame Mintah and Steward McLaren, were also present as the FA continues to refine its long-term player development structures.
As part of the broader programme, a dedicated scouting exercise for promising footballers of Ghanaian descent in the UK.
The exercise is expected to expand Ghana’s talent pool and provide selected players with opportunities to be monitored within a structured developmental system. The GFA’s latest intervention signals a more deliberate attempt to move beyond last-minute nationality switches and build sustained relationships with diaspora families from the early stages of player development.
For Ghana football, the long-term value of the initiative may lie not only in identifying talented players, but also in strengthening identity, trust and commitment among young footballers who are eligible to represent more than one country.
