On Friday, May 24th, 2024, the Ghana Football Association, through its GFA Foundation, will introduce the innovative Ghana Prisons Project. This Football for Development initiative seeks to harness the transformative power of football to enhance the welfare, rehabilitation, and societal reintegration of Ghana’s prison inmates.

The GFA Foundation will equip several prison facilities nationwide with essential football gear, including jerseys, balls, gloves, and goalposts, alongside items like whistles and caution cards. Moreover, it will conduct coaching, refereeing, and mentorship programs for both inmates and prison officers.

Additionally, the Foundation will host advocacy workshops to raise awareness about the harmful effects of discrimination and stigma against prisons and prisoners, aligning with its mission to leverage football for positive social change.

As the social investment and sustainability arm of the GFA, the Foundation aims to uplift lives within football communities and beyond.

Partnering with the Ghana Prisons Service, the state institution responsible for maintaining internal security and operating a humane penal system, underscores the project’s commitment to legal compliance and societal benefit.

By providing inmates with regular physical activity and fostering a positive outlook on life, the project aims to counteract boredom, disillusionment, and apathy, thereby promoting well-being and resilience.

Notably, this initiative marks the first time a Football Association globally has spearheaded such a project, setting a precedent for using football as a tool for rehabilitation and societal integration. Previous endeavors of this nature have typically been led by football clubs and NGOs in other regions.