Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt E.S. Okraku has reaffirmed his commitment to youth development and football infrastructure during a stakeholder engagement tour of the Upper East Region.
As part of his working visit, Okraku met with the Upper East Regional Minister, Akamugri Donatus Atanga, to discuss strengthening collaboration between government and the Football Association. The discussions focused on accelerating football development and expanding youth empowerment opportunities across the region.
Okraku expressed gratitude for what he described as a warm and forward-looking engagement, noting that he looked forward to working closely with the Regional Minister and the Regional Football Association to translate discussions into practical outcomes.
The GFA president also addressed the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs in Bolgatanga, where he thanked traditional authorities for their continued support for football development. He appealed for their prayers and backing as Ghana football prepares for what he described as a demanding international calendar.
He expressed appreciation to the President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, Chiana Pio, Pe Thomas More Ditundini Adiali Ayagtam III, for granting him audience and engaging in discussions on how football can serve as a tool for unity, opportunity and community development.
During the tour, Okraku paid a visit to Bolgatanga Senior High School, a key partner in the GFA’s talent development efforts. The school hosts the GFA Elite Academy team in the region.
He commended the headmaster and staff for their commitment to the talent development project, describing the school as instrumental in the successful rollout of the Elite Academy initiative in the Upper East Region. He specifically acknowledged Mr. Anthony Adimazoya and his team for creating an environment that allows student-athletes to balance academics and sport.
Okraku also inspected the Kurt E.S. Okraku Technical Centre at Winkogo to assess progress since the commissioning of its first phase. He toured the facility alongside Upper East Regional Football Association Chairman Salifu Zida and members of the regional executive committee.
The technical centre, which serves as a training base for the Elite Academy team, has become a key hub for football development in the region. Okraku said he was encouraged by the progress made and reiterated his commitment to continued infrastructure development to support talent identification and sustainable growth of the game nationwide.
The Upper East visit forms part of Okraku’s broader nationwide tour aimed at engaging stakeholders and strengthening grassroots football development across Ghana.
A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith | Bolgatanga
