The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum as the new head coach of the national U-17 team, the Black Starlets, ahead of the 2025 WAFU Zone B U-17 Boys Championship scheduled for September in Nigeria.

In a statement issued by the GFA, Dr Ogum was also confirmed as the new Head of Coach Education, taking over from Desmond Ofei, who will now concentrate fully on his role as assistant coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars.

Dr Ogum replaces Coach Frimpong Manso, who has stepped aside to focus exclusively on his club commitments with Bibiani GoldStars. The GFA expressed gratitude to Manso for his contributions to youth football and commended him for guiding GoldStars to their maiden Ghana Premier League title, which has earned the club a place in the CAF Champions League.

“The WAFU Zone B U17 Championship, scheduled for September 2025, serves as a qualifier for the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations. With this critical tournament on the horizon, the Executive Council has entrusted Dr Ogum with the responsibility of guiding the Black Starlets back to continental prominence,” the statement read.

Dr Ogum brings to the role a wealth of experience, having previously led Asante Kotoko to a Ghana Premier League title and steered WAFA to a second-place finish in the top flight. His coaching résumé also includes stints with Ebusua Dwarfs and the Black Galaxies, where he served as assistant coach.

His strong background in player development and tactical strategy, the GFA noted, makes him an ideal candidate to take charge of the Black Starlets and prepare them for the regional qualifier and, potentially, the continental stage.

With preparations for the WAFU championship already underway, Dr Ogum is expected to ramp up efforts in scouting and assembling a competitive squad.

“The GFA remains fully committed to providing the technical and logistical support needed to ensure the team’s success on the road to the U17 AFCON,” the statement added.

Dr Ogum’s dual appointment underscores the GFA’s strategic intent to align youth development with coach education, ensuring that both players and technical staff benefit from a unified philosophy and structured training standards. His new role as Head of Coach Education will see him spearhead technical capacity-building for coaches across the country.

The GFA believes that his leadership in both capacities will strengthen Ghana’s football development pipeline and contribute to the long-term success of the national teams.