President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, recently met with the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad, to discuss ways to strengthen football cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting, held at the Israeli Embassy in Accra on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, focused on deepening ties through various football initiatives.
Ghana and Israel already share a strong football connection, with many Ghanaian male and female players competing in Israeli clubs. The bond was further strengthened when Israeli coach Avram Grant led the Black Stars from 2015 to 2017, taking them to the final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Another Israeli, Eyal Lachman, also coached Ghanaian club Hearts of Oak.
During the meeting, both parties explored ideas for cultural and sporting events to celebrate their shared football history. They also discussed technical exchange programs to enhance the skills of Ghanaian coaches, medical staff, and marketing professionals by tapping into Israel’s expertise in sports science and football technology.
The meeting also included discussions about Ghana’s U-15 national team taking part in a tournament in Israel. This opportunity would give young players valuable international experience and help them develop their skills.
Additionally, the GFA is looking to partner with Israeli businesses in Ghana to support football development, including improving infrastructure and grassroots programs.
A key focus of the discussions was coaching exchange programs. Ghanaian coaches would travel to Israel to learn about modern football technology, while Israeli experts would visit Ghana to share their knowledge.
There were also plans to bring specialists to train local pitch managers, ensuring better playing conditions in the country.
GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku expressed confidence that this collaboration would greatly benefit Ghanaian football.
“This engagement with the Israeli Ambassador and his team 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 is dedicated to building strong international partnerships to improve football in Ghana. It will continue working with key stakeholders to put these plans into action in the coming months.
Also present at the meeting were Michael Osekre, Chief of Staff to the GFA President, and Janice Odonkor, Head of Business Development at the GFA.