Ukraine Teams with Ghana to Build Football Academy

A Ukrainian delegation traveled to Ghana with a plan to transform the country's football development through a new strategic partnership.

Led by Ukraine's Ambassador to Ghana Ivan Lukachuk, the team included investors and Andrii Zasakha, who serves as both CEO of Agri Holding and president of a Ukrainian Premier League club. They met with Ghana's Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, on February 20, 2026, to discuss how football can strengthen ties between the two nations.

Minister Adams welcomed the initiative, pointing to Ukraine's impressive football history, particularly FC Dynamo Kyiv's success in European competitions. Ghana brings its own strengths to the table with a passionate football culture and deep pool of young talent waiting to be developed.

The partnership focuses on building a football academy in Ghana, along with knowledge exchange and infrastructure investment. Kurt Okraku, president of the Ghana Football Association, joined the meeting and outlined how Ukrainian expertise could enhance Ghana's ongoing youth development programs and academy structures.

The Ripple Effect

This collaboration reaches far beyond the pitch. International sports partnerships create cultural bridges between nations while giving young Ghanaian players access to world-class training systems. The structured academy approach promises to identify and nurture talent that might otherwise go undiscovered in grassroots communities.

For Ukraine, the partnership offers meaningful international engagement during challenging times. For Ghana, it means upgraded facilities, improved coaching standards, and new pathways for youth to pursue professional football careers.

The infrastructure improvements will serve communities long after individual players move through the system. Better training grounds, coaching education programs, and technical resources create lasting foundations for future generations.

Minister Adams closed the meeting with optimism about the long-term vision, emphasizing how the alliance promotes sportsmanship while building resilience through athletics in both countries.