Former Black Stars midfielder highlighted as a key player developed through Ghana's grassroots football system.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… The project also taps into the strong connection between Ghana and Chelsea, a relationship Ray believes was helped greatly by former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien. …
Ray Michael Djan Jr puts Ghanaian creativity on global stage with Chelsea anthemDaily Guide
… Simeon-Okraku also highlighted Michael Essien, whose Colts journey began with Paa Badu/Liberty Babes before he became one of Ghana’s most accomplished midfielders in European football. …
Kurt Okraku Pays Tribute To Ghana’s Colts Football HeroesJoy Online
… Building on a legacy that discovered national legends including Abedi Pele, Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan, this initiative secures a sustainable talent stream to identify and develop the future stars who will proudly represent Ghana.
GFA to launch 2026/27 Colts Football SeasonThe Ghanaian Times
… It is understood that the Coventry manager, Frank Lampard, has spoken to his former Chelsea teammate Michael Essien, who is now working as a coach at Nordsjaelland, about what Yirenkyi could bring to his newly promoted side. …
Coventry to make Yirenkyi new record signingThe Ghanaian Times
… Michael Essien dominated midfield. Power was provided by Sulley Muntari. …
How Ghana’s World Cup campaign could reshape West African football for a generationJoy Online
… Players such as Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, and Mohammed Kudus serve as examples of how local football structures can produce world-class talent. …
Ghana’s domestic football: An industry in dire need of attentionJoy Online
Ghana international Daniel Kofi-Kyereh put Andre Ayew ahead of Michael Essien and Stephen Appiah in a blind-ranking game involving Black Stars midfielders. …
Video: Daniel Kofi-Kyereh ranks Andre Ayew above Essien and Appiah in blind ranking gameJoy Online
… Despite describing himself as a naturally shy person, he said he deliberately worked on his networking skills, which later opened doors for him, including styling former Chelsea and Ghana midfielder Michael Essien, as well as opportunities in public speaking. …
Young people don’t take networking seriously – Abrantie the GentlemanJoy Online
… He cited his experience working on production sets, where he combined set design with his fashion work, as an example of how unexpected encounters shaped his journey. “For example, when Michael Essien was playing for Chelsea, I was clothing him. …
Young people don’t take networking seriously —Founder, Abrantie TheGentleman menswearGhanaian producer Ray Michael Djan Jr has co-written and produced Chelsea FC's new anthem, Can't Tame Us, featuring King Promise, bringing Ghanaian and Afrobeats influence to the project. Through his London-based SW6 Studios, Ray also works with Chelsea's Foundation on the Blue Creator Collective, an initiative supporting young creatives.
5 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghanaian producer Ray Michael Djan Jr has co-written and produced Chelsea FC's new anthem, Can't Tame Us, featuring King Promise, bringing Ghanaian and Afrobeats influence to the project. Through his London-based SW6 Studios, Ray also works with Chelsea's Foundation on the Blue Creator Collective, an initiative supporting young creatives.
5 October 2026 · Joy Online →
GFA President Kurt Okraku has paid tribute to Ghana's Colts football system at the launch of the 2026/27 season, highlighting its role in developing generations of national football stars including Abedi Pele, Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah, and Michael Essien.
17 September 2026 · Daily Guide →
The Ghana Football Association will launch the 2026/27 Colts Football Season on September 15 at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram. President John Dramani Mahama backed the initiative as a means to rebuild youth pathways and provide young players opportunities to develop talent and gain international experience.
15 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Coventry have agreed a £23 million fee with Danish side Nordsjaelland for Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, which will be a record for the Danish top flight and Coventry's fourth transfer record of the window. The 20-year-old, who is a product of the Right to Dream academy and scored the winning goal against Panama at the World Cup, will travel to complete his move.
6 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana sits on 4 points heading into a final group-stage clash against Croatia on June 27, with a draw sufficient to advance to the Round of 32. The Black Stars previously defeated Panama and drew goalless with England in their group.
26 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana's local football clubs struggle to gain necessary attention and support despite their role as the foundation for developing young talent, with many professional players including Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, and Mohammed Kudus beginning their careers in grassroots football.
10 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Acting NSA Director General Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah has said that grassroots and community sports development must be central to the Ghana Sports Fund to build a sustainable sports economy and develop future talents. He emphasised that proper structures and processes must be established first, and that Ghana must intentionally invest in young talents from an early age to compete globally.
22 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana midfielder Daniel Kofi-Kyereh ranked Andre Ayew ahead of Michael Essien and Stephen Appiah in a blind-ranking game of Black Stars midfielders, in an exclusive interview with Joy Sports that aired in May 2026. The ranking included ten former and current national team midfielders.
2 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghanaian fashion designer Abrantie the Gentleman has told young entrepreneurs that networking is crucial for building brands and advancing business careers, noting that despite being naturally shy, he deliberately worked on his networking skills which opened doors including styling Michael Essien and opportunities in public speaking.
28 April 2026 · Joy Online →
Oheneba Yaw Boamah, founder of Abrantie TheGentleman menswear, has urged young people to take networking seriously, saying it is a key driver of success in the creative industry. He noted that many of his own opportunities, both locally and internationally, have come through relationships built over time.
26 April 2026 · Joy Online →