Clubs will include more than four U-19 players in matchday squads from 2025 - GFA boss Kurt Okraku

The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has announced plans to introduce new youth and age-specific policies across various football leagues under the initiative, “Power to the Youth.”

This strategy is designed to bolster youth development in Ghanaian football by requiring Premier League, Division One League, and Women’s Premier League clubs to include a set number of under-19 players in their match-day squads.

Beginning with the 2025/2026 season, the policy mandates that Premier League teams must feature at least four under-19 players, Division One clubs must include six, and Division Two clubs are required to have eight, with a minimum of four starting each match.

For the Women’s Premier League, a new age limit will be introduced, requiring players to be 20 years or older, while the Women’s Division One will permit players aged 18 and 19.

Kurt Okraku emphasized the significance of these changes during the 30th Ordinary Congress, stating, “This policy will help us establish juvenile leagues for girls, including U-15, U-16, and U-17 categories.”

The overall goal of the policy is to ensure that young players have ample opportunities to play and progress at higher levels. Okraku urged stakeholders to recognize the importance of investing in youth football, saying, “It is crucial for everyone involved in football to understand the need to increase our investment in the youth.”

He added, “We are committed to implementing policies that foster talent development in a highly competitive environment, starting from the 2025/2026 season.”