Ayawaso Central hosts Girls’ Football Festival to champion grassroots development

The Ghana Education Service (Ayawaso Central Municipality) in partnership with the Football Association successfully organised a one-day Girls’ Sports Festival in the Greater Accra Region.

The initiative aimed to educate young girls and their teachers on the GFA Women’s Football Strategy, with a strong focus on the Grassroots Football and Education Pillars.

The event brought together key stakeholders in education and sports, including Mrs. Felicia Adu Mensah (Ayawaso Central GES Supervisor), Mr. Inusah Mohammed (Greater Accra Regional P.E Coordinator), and Mr. Emmanuel Asante Gyansih (Ayawaso Central Municipal P.E and Sports Coordinator), alongside GES officials, headteachers, and educators.

The first session centered on the GFA’s Grassroots Football agenda, emphasizing early talent identification and development. Participants were inspired to view football not just as recreation, but as a viable career path. The session highlighted the importance of nurturing young female talent, setting clear career goals, and increasing participation and retention in women’s football.

With a long-term vision of producing elite female footballers, the initiative seeks to create a sustainable pipeline that feeds into Ghana’s women’s national teams. A key highlight was the introduction of a juvenile girls’ league under the League Development Pillar—an effort to enhance professionalism and bridge gaps within women’s football structures.

The Education Pillar provided a holistic learning experience, addressing critical topics such as misconceptions surrounding girls in football, healthy and hygienic lifestyles, menstruation awareness and injury prevention and management.

Equally important was the introduction of the GFA Safeguarding Code of Ethics. This session empowered girls to understand personal boundaries, recognize inappropriate behavior, and confidently report concerns. It also promoted the development of respectful and healthy relationships within the sporting environment.

The second session brought energy and excitement as students took to the pitch for friendly matches at the Kotobabi Wembley Sports Complex. Participating schools included Kotobabi 11 JHS, Kotobabi 7 JHS, Experimental 2 JHS, Kotobabi 3 JHS, Kotobabi 2 JHS, Alajo 1 JHS, Kokomlemle 2 Basic and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial

The games fostered teamwork, confidence and a love for football among the girls.

To further encourage participation, participating schools received footballs and T-shirts—symbolic tools to sustain interest and advocacy for women’s football at the grassroots level.

GFA Communications