Nyantakyi, legends spark hope with ‘Prison Football Project’
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has returned to the football spotlight—this time from the sidelines of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison—as he launched an ambitious ‘Prison Football Project’ to inspire and rehabilitate inmates through the beautiful game.
With the backing of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Mr Nyantakyi unveiled the initiative last Tuesday, aiming to use football as a tool for reformation, empowerment, and reintegration of inmates into society.
The project, born out of a visit to former Wa All Stars chairman, Alhaji Inusah—currently serving time at Nsawam—has already captured national attention.
According to Mr Nyantakyi, a match he witnessed between inmate teams a fortnight ago left him "stunned" by the raw football talent behind bars. That moment, he said, sparked a vision to offer hope and opportunity to the incarcerated.
Redemption through football
Ironically, the former Ghana football chief and First-Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), who is still serving a 15-year ban from all football-related activities imposed by FIFA for ethical violations, has made it clear that this project is personal and will be rolled out in prisons across the country.
“I was amazed by the sheer level of talent on display,” Mr Nyantakyi said. “Immediately, I thought something had to be done to nurture and showcase these skills. Prison shouldn’t be the end—it can be a new beginning.”
Teaming up with the PFAG, Mr Nyantakyi brought in some of Ghana’s football royalty to officially kick off the project last Tuesday. Led by PFAG President, Samuel Osei Kuffour, and General Secretary, Tony Baffoe, the delegation included retired national stars such as John Mensah, Kwame Ayew, Augustine Ahinful, Sam Johnson, Emmanuel Armah ‘Senegal’, Mallam Yahaya, Maxwell Konadu, and Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, who even captained Block 2 and scored a goal in a lively friendly that ended 2–0 against Block 3.
In addition to hosting the friendly, the group donated kits, footballs, jerseys, bags of rice, and meat, bringing joy and energy to a facility more accustomed to routine and confinement.
Mr Nyantakyi spoke passionately after the match, delivering a stirring message of hope to the inmates.
"We want to let them [inmates] know that going to prison does not mean the end of the world, you can use the opportunity to reform and become a better person. Nelson Mandela was in prison for 27 years and came out to be President," he said.
He went further to promise that future visits would include even more Black Stars icons such as Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah, Richard Kingson, and many others. “You still have rights as prisoners, and you can still make something meaningful out of your life."
The gesture drew heartfelt appreciation from prison authorities. Deputy Director of Prisons (DPP) Patrick Thomas Seidu, the officer in charge of the Nsawam facility and Eastern Regional Commander, was full of praise for the former GFA boss and the football legends.
“Your presence here is deeply appreciated,” DDP Seidu said. “It means a lot to the inmates and us. As you saw today, there is immense talent here, not just in football, but in volleyball, basketball, and even boxing. All they need is encouragement and opportunity,” DPP Seidu said.
