Following the approval of the GFA Registered Football Academy Licensing Regulations 2025 and the engagement of clubs, the Association has today opened the application process to interested football training establishments as part of the implementation phase of the new regime.
The application process begins with an email to the GFA to expressing the desire to register a football academy. The Association will then engage the club on the requirements and officially open the application process and the documentation and inspection required for the member seeking to operate certified football academies in the country.
The GFA Football Academy Licensing Regulations 2025, which are now in effect, set out comprehensive guidelines for the licensing, regulation, and operation of football academies across Ghana.
Under the new framework, existing clubs that currently use the term “Academy” in their names have within this 2025/26 football season to meet the stipulated requirements to continue the use of the term in their name.
Clubs that fail to comply within the given timeframe will be mandated to remove “Academy” from their names and operate strictly as football clubs.
Any club intending to run a football academy in Ghana must undergo a rigorous inspection process and satisfy all regulatory standards before being granted certification. The Regulations aim to establish a structured, professional and safe environment for young footballers between the ages of 6 and 18.
To ensure transparency, the list of licensed football academies will be published on the GFA’s official website. Approved academies will receive an annual licence that must be renewed each year following a review to confirm continued compliance with regulatory standards.
The GFA Academy Regulations 2025 also aim to eliminate unapproved and substandard football establishments from the ecosystem, promoting a safer and more credible development pathway for young players.
All the licenced Academies shall have a Safeguarding Officers as part of the safety and welfare regime.
As part of the requirements, all licensed academies will participate in district-level leagues to enhance competitiveness and support full player development.
The GFA emphasises that the regulations will be fully enforced to streamline and professionalise the operation of football academies across the nation.
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