Nyantakyi’s ‘Prison Football Project’ lights up Nsawam Prison
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, on Thursday, returned to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison with the second edition of his ambitious “Prison Football Project” aimed at inspiring and rehabilitating inmates through the beautiful game.
With the backing of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) led by the legendary Abedi Pele, MP for Amenfi Central Joana Gyan Cudjoe, GFA President Kurt Simeon-Okraku, and musicians Patapaa, Praye, D-Cryme and Grace Ashie, Mr Nyantakyi once again reemphasized the significance of an initiative designed to use football as a tool for reformation, empowerment, and reintegration of inmates into society.
The project, born out of a visit last year to former Wa All Stars chairman, Alhaji Inusah — currently serving time at Nsawam – during which Mr Nyantakyi witnessed a football match between inmates that 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, and subsequently launched the initiative with its first edition last year. Accompanied by the leadership of PFAG, a football game between inmates featuring former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang Badu was staged inside the prison yard in addition to donations of sports and food items to the inmates to much fanfare.
But in a remarkable show of commitment to the project, the former GFA chief returned with an even bigger entourage this year for the second edition at the Nsawam Prisons on Thursday May 21, 2026.
This time a full complement of former Black Stars players took on the Prison football team in a thrilling match that had GFA boss Simeon-Okraku and Abedi Pele performing the ceremonial kick-off.
Former fan favourites including Kwame Ayew, Mohammed Gargo, Augustine Ahinful, Yaw Acheampong, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Afo Dodoo, Abdul Majeed Waris, Godwin Attram, David Accam, Haminu Dramani backed by the likes of Pele, Tony Baffoe, Abdul Karim Zito supporting from the stands, rolled back the years to match the young and more energetic inmates in an exciting 1-1 draw after a game of 25 minutes in each half.
An ensuing penalty shootout was nicked 2-1 by the inmates to win a Gh¢10,000 prize on offer. This was doubled to Gh¢20,000 by a Gh¢10,000 addition by the MP for Amenfi Central, Joana Gyan Cudjoe.
Additionally, two sets of jerseys were presented to each of eight blocks housing inmates, as well as to the Prisons football team and the Prison officers. In total, about 15 sets of jerseys, 30 footballs, bibs, 49 sets of hose, 100 bags of rice, 50 packets of water and Gh¢20,000 cash were donated by Mr Nyantakyi and the team.
There was a mini jam inside the prison walls as the four musicians took turns to sing some of their famous tunes whiles the prisoners sang and danced along. Patapaa stole the show as the prisoners refused for the entertainment to end even as rain started drizziling at the end.
Nyantakyi pledged to continue with the “multi-faceted, community spirit” project which also seeks to offer possible legal assistance to some inmates who lack it due to several factors.
“I think those outside prison should show some concern, compassion, love and give hope to inmates because as the Commander said, anybody can be in prison by making a little mistake. So we should not forsake those who have found their way here due to one reason or another,” Nyantakyi told the Graphic Sports.
“We’ll continue to do this to give hope to those who are in there, and trying to find a way to give legal representation to some whose cases can be taken up by the law courts for them to be free. Also, donations to support their feeding and clothing among others.”
Agyemang Badu who scored the winning goal as Ghana won Africa’s first U-20 World Cup under Nyantakyi as GFA President in 2009, showed up again like he did last year. He won the penalty from which Godwin Attram equalised for the former Black Stars in the ceremonial match, and he says going to the prison had been a useful learning experience.
“Some of these inmates, their ages and if your listen to their story, with a little bit of patience they could have avoided this situation. So I always learn from them and advise my family and friends that we can have fun, but when anger comes let’s be patient and relax a bit, it saves you from a lot of negatives,” he said.
“And obviously when my President (Nyantakyi) who I won the U-20 World Cup with is doing something big like this, and legends like Abedi Pele, Tony Baffoe and all are here, it’s a demonstration that we will always be here to support him when he needs us,” he pledged.
