Ghana Football Association President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has outlined the vision behind the newly launched UK Talent Identification Programme, describing it as a strategic step in building a sustainable pipeline for Ghana’s future national teams.

The initiative brought together 40 players of Ghanaian descent from elite academies in England for a scouting and assessment programme held in Bromley.

The players, drawn from clubs including Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Everton, were assessed as part of the GFA’s efforts to identify and engage potential future Black Stars players.

Okraku said the programme reflects Ghana’s long-term ambition to strengthen its talent pool by expanding recruitment beyond its borders.

“Our vision is to build strong national teams for the future by identifying the best Ghanaian talents wherever they may be in the world,” he said.

He added that such initiatives are central to strengthening the national team pipeline and ensuring opportunities for young players of Ghanaian heritage to represent the country at the highest level.

The programme was delivered in partnership with Coach Hene Sporting Club, Ghanaians in the UK and Prince Lamona Consult, as part of a wider strategy to connect with diaspora players early in their development.

It comes as several countries increase investment in similar scouting programmes targeting dual-national players.

For Ghana, the focus is on identifying talent while also building early relationships with players and their families.

The initiative followed a parents’ engagement session hosted by the GFA and the Ghana High Commission in the United Kingdom, where pathways for players of Ghanaian descent were discussed.

The GFA maintains that sustained engagement with diaspora talent will be key to strengthening future national teams and maintaining competitiveness at both youth and senior levels.