The stars of Ghanaian football, past, present, and future, were celebrated in a night filled with triumph, emotion, and reflection at the 2025 Ghana Football Awards, held at the Accra International Conference Centre on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Organised to honour excellence across all levels of the game, this year’s event not only recognised standout performances on the pitch but also paid homage to legacy, sacrifice, and the unifying spirit of football in Ghana and beyond.
Thomas Partey reigns supreme
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was named Footballer of the Year, adding to his already stellar legacy.
The Black Stars’ vice-captain edged out stiff competition from Antoine Semenyo, after an impressive season both for club and country, asserting his influence in midfield and emerging as a leader in Ghana’s national setup.
Doris Boaduwaa and Mary Amponsah dominate women’s categories
Black Queens forward Doris Boaduwaa was crowned Female Footballer of the Year, capping a season of electric performances and important goals at the international level.
In the domestic scene, Mary Amponsah of Ampem Darkoa Ladies claimed the Women’s Goal Queen title, finishing as the top scorer in the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League.
Stephen Amankona claims Goal King
Berekum Chelsea forward Stephen Amankona emerged as the Ghana Premier League Goal King with 15 goals, showcasing lethal finishing and consistency throughout the season.
Razak Simpson: A season to remember
It was a double win for Razak Simpson of Nations FC. His long-range stunner against Hearts of Oak on Matchday 21 won Goal of the Year, while his consistent performances across the season earned him the Home-Based Footballer of the Year title.
Benjamin Asare’s Breakthrough
Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare took home the Goalkeeper of the Year award after a season that saw him rise to the Black Stars and cement his place between the sticks at club level.
Special tribute to Nana Pooley
Perhaps the most emotional moment of the night was the posthumous awarding of the Special Fan of the Year to the late Francis Yaw Frimpong, also known as Pooley, a die-hard Asante Kotoko fan who tragically lost his life after being stabbed during a league game in Nsoatre earlier this year.
A moving documentary captured his final moments as a supporter, cheering, chanting, living for his club.
The tribute brought many to tears, and his widow, in visible pain, accepted the award to a long-standing ovation.
It was a powerful reminder of the passion fans bring to Ghanaian football — and the price some tragically pay for it.
Hakimi and Kwasi Appiah recognised for international brilliance
Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi was named Best African International for his performances with PSG and the Moroccan national team.
Sudan national team head coach James Kwasi Appiah, formerly of Ghana, was named Men’s Coach of the Year for guiding Sudan to the upcoming 2025 AFCON and putting them in a strong position to qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup.
Women’s football shines
Police Ladies FC were named Female Team of the Year after winning their first-ever Women’s Premier League title, beating Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the final.
Their coach, Abu Kassim, took home Women’s Team Coach of the Year, while Mary Berkoe, a key player in the campaign, was awarded Home-Based Female Footballer of the Year.
GoldStars and Medeama take club honours
Bibiani GoldStars, winners of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League, were named Male Team of the Year following their historic title win.
Medeama SC were crowned Most Vibrant Club on social media, recognising their growing online influence and fan engagement.
CEO and social impact awards
John Peter Amewu, chairman of newly promoted Hohoe United, was honoured as Best Ghanaian Club CEO after leading the club to its first-ever top-flight promotion.
The Football for Good award went jointly to the Thomas Partey and Tariq Lamptey Foundation for their efforts in using football as a tool for community upliftment and positive social change.
Living legends honoured
One of the most heartfelt moments at the 2025 Ghana Football Awards came with the presentation of the Living Legend Awards, a recognition reserved for individuals whose work has shaped the landscape of Ghanaian football.
Herbert Mensah, the former chairman of Asante Kotoko, was celebrated for his transformational leadership in the early 2000s. Appointed by the Asantehene in 1999, Mensah introduced professional structures, secured sponsorships, and revived the fortunes of a struggling Kotoko side.
His vision brought stability and ambition back to the club, leaving a legacy that still echoes through the corridors of Kumasi football.
Former Hearts of Oak CEO Harry Zakkour was also honoured for masterminding the club’s golden era.
Under his leadership in 2000, Hearts of Oak not only swept domestic honours but also conquered Africa, winning the CAF Champions League and the CAF Super Cup. It remains one of the most successful campaigns by any Ghanaian club.
Completing the trio was Ken Mensah, a veteran sports journalist whose decades-long career helped shape football journalism in Ghana.
His dedication to storytelling, analysis, and accountability has inspired generations of football media professionals.
Together, the three men were recognised not just for their accomplishments, but for the indelible mark they have left on Ghanaian football culture.
Future star shines bright
The Odartey Lamptey Future Star Award went to Jerry Afriyie, a rising Black Stars attacker on loan from Al-Qadsiah.
The youngster impressed during his time with CD Lugo in Spain’s third tier, scoring two goals in seven appearances and emerging as one of Ghana’s most promising talents.
The 2025 Ghana Football Awards proved once again to be more than a night of celebration. It was a night of stories, of grit, glory, pain, progress, and passion.
From Thomas Partey’s midfield dominance to the enduring memory of Nana Pooley, it reminded the nation that football in Ghana is not just a sport; it’s a heartbeat.
FKA/GA
Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Check with former Hearts of Oak midfielder Frederick Ansah Botchway
