President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has outlined a new vision aimed at transforming domestic football into a competitive and financially sustainable enterprise, anchored by a landmark partnership with Adesa Productions Limited (APL).

Speaking at the official launch of APL as the new production, management, and broadcast partner of the Ghana Premier League—effective from the 2025/26 season—Okraku emphasized that the GFA is moving beyond a survival model for clubs.

“We are no longer asking our clubs to simply survive. We are creating an environment where they can compete, grow, and flourish,” he declared. “One where clubs can not only retain their best players but even attract new ones from beyond our borders.”

Okraku acknowledged that while Ghana may not yet compete with the financial might of foreign leagues, the Ghana Premier League can still offer compelling incentives for players to stay and develop their careers locally.

“The talent of Ghanaian players is undisputed,” he noted. “Why should our footballers have to leave to be appreciated, when we can make this league a destination in itself? We may not match the multimillion-dollar contracts abroad, but we can create conditions that make staying in Ghana a real choice.”

As part of this new business framework, the GFA is introducing guaranteed financial incentives for all Premier League clubs, regardless of their position in the final league standings.

“Whether you place first or twentieth, your effort, your performance, your participation will yield financial benefit,” Okraku stated. “This gives meaning to every game and maintains a high level of competition throughout the season.”

He stressed that the initiative is more than just a financial intervention. “This is not a grant. This is not just a number – it is a commitment to club transformation,” he said. “It is the difference between delayed salaries and timely payments; between outdated medical rooms and fully equipped health centres; between empty stands and vibrant, media-ready stadiums.”

The GFA believes the Adesa-backed model has the potential to redefine the domestic game and stem the tide of player departures, while making the league more appealing to local and international talents alike.

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Derrick Kohn’s impressive form last season has sparked renewed speculation over his future, with Russian Premier League club FC Krasnodar reportedly leading the chase for his signature.

The 26-year-old German-Ghanaian fullback, who joined Galatasaray in February 2024, continues to draw attention across Europe following a standout loan spell at Werder Bremen. Kohn featured in 34 matches for the Bundesliga side, contributing two goals and two assists while showcasing his pace, energy, and versatility on both flanks.

Though Spartak Moscow had previously reached an €8 million agreement for Kohn last summer, the deal ultimately collapsed. With Krasnodar now stepping in, the race for the defender appears to be heating up once more.

Currently under contract with Galatasaray until 2026, Kohn is valued at €5 million by Transfermarkt. Several clubs—including Sassuolo, Udinese, and Werder Bremen—are also reportedly monitoring his situation closely.

As transfer talks intensify, Galatasaray could soon be forced to decide whether to hold on to the in-demand fullback or cash in before the window closes.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has entered into a high-profile sponsorship agreement with Spanish football giant FC Barcelona, committing to pay over €40 million ($46.37 million) to promote the country as a premier African tourism destination.

According to a contract reviewed by Reuters and dated June 29, the partnership will span four football seasons. Under the terms, a logo branding the DRC as the “Heart of Africa” will be displayed on the back of training and warm-up kits worn by both the men’s and women’s teams. The logo will also feature prominently in club advertising materials, its official magazine, and the annual report.

Although the deal has not been publicly announced by either party, the document shows that Congo will pay Barcelona between €10 million and €11.5 million annually over the four-year period.

This move follows similar partnerships announced last month between the DRC and European football clubs AS Monaco and AC Milan. While details of those agreements remain mostly confidential, Congolese Sports Minister Didier Budimbu confirmed to Reuters that the Monaco deal is worth €1.6 million per season. A separate government source revealed that the AC Milan agreement is valued at €14 million annually.

Congolese Tourism Minister Didier M’Pambia described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to “reposition the DRC on the international stage as an undisputed leader on the African continent,” aiming to attract tourism and investment.

Neither Barcelona nor the Congolese tourism ministry responded to requests for comment.

The deal has drawn comparisons to Rwanda’s “Visit Rwanda” sponsorships with European clubs, which have faced political backlash. Earlier this year, DRC’s Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner called on clubs like Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain to cut ties with Rwanda, labeling the sponsorships “blood-stained” amid Rwanda’s alleged support for M23 rebels in eastern Congo — a claim Rwanda strongly denies.

A recent UN report obtained by Reuters alleges that Rwandan authorities exercised command over the rebels, seeking political control and access to Congo’s mineral-rich territories.