Ghana’s Minister for Education and Member of Parliament for the Tamale South Constituency, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has officially completed the acquisition of Tamale Utrecht Football Academy (TUFA), taking full control of the club and its academy structure.
The development marks a significant shift in the ownership setup of the Tamale-based football institution. Following the completion of the transaction, Abu Imoro is no longer a partner in the club, effectively ending his involvement in its administration and operations.
The deal grants Hon. Haruna Iddrisu complete ownership of Tamale Utrecht Football Academy (TUFA), including all youth development frameworks, football assets, and institutional rights. The takeover further strengthens the Education Minister’s expanding influence within Ghanaian football, where he already plays a pivotal role as the bankroller of Karela United and Steadfast FC.
Sources close to the transaction describe the acquisition as a calculated, long-term investment aimed at reinforcing grassroots football development in Northern Ghana while positioning TUFA as a sustainable pathway for elite talent progression.
Tamale Utrecht Football Academy has earned a strong reputation as one of Ghana’s most consistent talent-producing institutions. Among its most celebrated graduates is Black Stars forward Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, whose journey from Tamale to European football has become a reference point for successful youth development.
Fatawu’s move to Sporting Lisbon in 2022 elevated the academy’s profile internationally, underscoring its role in nurturing players capable of competing at the highest levels of the game.
Despite its success, the academy has previously been involved in a notable dispute with Steadfast FC over entitlement to onward transfer fees arising from Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s transfer to Sporting Lisbon. The issue attracted widespread attention within local football circles, highlighting ongoing challenges surrounding player development rights and compensation structures in Ghana.
With Hon. Haruna Iddrisu now assuming sole ownership, observers believe the academy is entering a new era marked by stability, strategic clarity, and improved governance.
The takeover is expected to usher in renewed investment, enhanced infrastructure, and a refined technical vision for Tamale Utrecht Football Academy. Stakeholders across the Northern Region have welcomed the move, expressing optimism that the academy will further consolidate its status as a cornerstone of youth football development in Ghana.
As TUFA embarks on this new chapter under the stewardship of Ghana’s Education Minister, attention will now turn to how the institution leverages its renewed leadership to sustain excellence and produce the next generation of football stars.