The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is advancing women’s football development through the upcoming official launch of the FIFA-backed U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues. The ceremony is scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the GFA Conference Room in Accra.
This nationwide program, supported by FIFA’s Women’s Football Development Programme, establishes dedicated regional leagues for girls under 15 across Ghana’s ten football regions: Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, and Western.
It builds on successful pilot projects conducted in the Northern Region and Ashaiman (Greater Accra), expanding structured competition to promote equity with boys’ youth football.
Approximately 80 teams will participate, engaging over 3,300 young female players in regular matches within professional, supportive environments. Existing clubs are encouraged to form U15 girls’ teams, with Regional Football Associations (RFAs) leading local implementation.
The leagues are set to run as part of the 2025/26 season, starting on or before October 1, 2025, and concluding by May 31, 2026.
Key objectives include early talent identification, long-term player development, increased grassroots participation, and fostering values like discipline, teamwork, and excellence.
The initiative creates a clear progression pathway from regional colts football to elite levels, including national teams such as the Black Princesses, while addressing historical disparities in opportunities for girls.
Additional elements enhance the program’s impact: young female referees from the GFA’s “Catch Them Young” initiative will officiate matches, receiving specialized capacity-building training. A dedicated league logo with the tagline #InspireGreatness has already been unveiled to symbolize growth and nurturing of talent.
Led by the GFA’s Women’s Football Development Desk under manager Jennifer Amankwaa Sarpong and supported by the Technical Directorate, this project aligns with the broader GFA Women’s Football Strategy (2023-2026).
FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer, Dame Sarai Bareman, has endorsed the collaboration, noting its role in expanding access to the game for girls and women in Ghana.
This launch represents a pivotal investment in sustainable growth, empowering the next generation of Ghanaian female footballers and strengthening the foundation of the women’s game nationwide.