Kwesi Nyantakyi, the former GFA president, has started a “Prison Football Project” in Nsawam Medium Security Prison to help rehabilitate inmates using football.
Mr. Nyantakyi, backed by the PFAG, debuted a program last Tuesday leveraging football to reform, empower, and reintegrate inmates.
The project has drawn national attention, inspired by a visit to Alhaji Inusah, the former chairman of Wa All Stars, who is now imprisoned at Nsawam.
Mr. Nyantakyi reports being astonished by the exceptional football skills displayed by inmates during a match he recently observed. At that moment, he said, it ignited a vision of providing hope and opportunity to prisoners.
Football as a path to redemption
The former Ghana football chief and CAF first president, currently banned from football by FIFA for ethical breaches, is personally launching a country-wide prison initiative.
“The talent displayed was simply amazing,” remarked Mr. Nyantakyi. I instantly felt the need to cultivate and highlight these abilities. A prison sentence doesn’t have to be a life sentence; it can be a chance to start over.”
With the help of the PFAG, Mr. Nyantakyi and some of Ghana’s football greats launched the project last Tuesday. Samuel Osei Kuffour and Tony Baffoe, along with former national players such as John Mensah and Kwame Ayew, led the delegation in a friendly match.
Besides hosting the friendly, the group’s donation of kits, footballs, jerseys, rice, and meat energized a facility used to routine and confinement.
In a passionate post-match speech, Mr. Nyantakyi conveyed a hopeful and uplifting message to the inmates.
We aim to reassure inmates that imprisonment isn’t a life sentence; it’s a chance for self-improvement and rehabilitation. Nelson Mandela was in prison for 27 years and came out to be President,” he said.
He added future visits would showcase additional Black Stars greats, including Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah, Richard Kingson, and a host of other notable players. “Even as prisoners, your rights remain, and you can still find purpose.”
Prison authorities showed heartfelt appreciation for the gesture. The DPP, Patrick Thomas Seidu, who heads the Nsawam facility and Eastern Region, lauded the former GFA head and football greats.
“We’re so glad you could be here,” DDP Seidu said. It’s deeply significant to both the inmates and us. The immense talent on display today extends beyond football, including volleyball, basketball, and even boxing. According to DPP Seidu, all they require is encouragement and opportunity.
Credit: Graphic Sports
