In a significant move to enhance Ghana’s football landscape, Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku met with the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Roey Gilad, to discuss strategic football collaborations between the two nations.

The meeting, held at the Israeli Embassy in Accra on March 19, 2025, focused on strengthening football ties through bilateral initiatives. Ghana and Israel share a deep football history, with Ghanaian players excelling in Israeli clubs and former Black Stars coach Avram Grant leaving a lasting legacy. Israeli tactician Eyal Lachman also made his mark with Ghanaian powerhouse Hearts of Oak.

Key discussions revolved around technical exchange programs, grassroots football development, and opportunities for Ghana’s U-15 national team to participate in an international tournament in Israel. The GFA is also seeking investment from Israeli companies operating in Ghana to support football infrastructure and training initiatives.

Coach attachment programs were another major highlight, with plans to send Ghanaian coaches to Israel for modern IT-based football training while welcoming Israeli experts to Ghana to share best practices. Additionally, specialists will be brought in to train local pitch managers, improving playing surfaces nationwide.

President Okraku expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This engagement is a great step towards strengthening our football ecosystem. By leveraging Israel’s expertise in sports science and technology, we can create more opportunities for Ghanaian footballers, coaches, and administrators.”

The GFA remains committed to fostering international partnerships to drive football development and will work closely with stakeholders to implement these initiatives in the coming months.