The US Embassy in Accra has concluded a 10-day Sports Envoy initiative designed to strengthen girls’ football development, coaching capacity and leadership across Tamale, Kumasi and Accra.
The programme, which ended at McDan La Park in Accra on Wednesday, September 16, brought together US Sports Envoys Kofi Sarkodie and Amy Griffin, with about 60 coaches trained across the three cities and 96 female student-athletes participating in the concluding Accra session.
The initiative used a train-the-trainer approach, equipping coaches with practical methods they can transfer to players and future teams. Sessions covered technical and tactical development, injury prevention, warm-ups, communication, discipline, teamwork and team culture.
Former MLS player Sarkodie, born to Ghanaian parents in the US, made more than 130 appearances in the US league and is now involved in youth and community development, highlighted the value of using football to build confidence, connection and belonging among young people.
Sarkodie’s coaching sessions focused on adapting simple on-field drills to teach both football and life skills, while encouraging coaches to build stronger relationships with their players and among themselves.
“Those skills outside the pitch can develop and provide a future for the girls, whether it’s in football or in different professions, that they can be leaders in their community,” he said.
Griffin, a 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and veteran coach, stressed the importance of creating an environment where girls feel supported and included.
“Coaches must create a safe environment for girls to make mistakes,” she said, while urging them to “inspire girls to enjoy soccer and improve teamwork.”
Griffin, now coach of the US Deaf national team, also raised concern that 50 per cent of girls drop out of sports between ages 14 and 17 when they do not feel adequately supported, stressing that coaches must build community, confidence and leadership rather than focus solely on winning.
Dornya Donyá Eldridge, Culture and Education Attaché at the US Embassy said the programme was deliberately structured around coaches to ensure its impact extends beyond the immediate participants.
She explained that the initiative trained about 15–16 coaches per city, with sessions designed around injury prevention, team culture, communication, discipline and teamwork.
“We will gather information from coaches about their needs and desired follow-on training,” Eldridge said, indicating that the Embassy intends to develop a subsequent programme based on feedback rather than simply repeat the same format.
The three-city initiative forms part of U.S. Embassy efforts to promote leadership, mentorship, skill development and people-to-people engagement through sport.
