Dignitaries in a group photo at the event
The GFA Girls4Goals initiative, aimed at promoting gender equality through sports, has been officially launched in Ghana’s Volta Region.
The vibrant, held at the Keta Business School, gathered hundreds of students, community leaders, and key stakeholders, marking a significant step towards inclusivity and empowerment for young girls through football.
The Girls4Goals program, a 9-month initiative funded by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), FIFA, La Guilde, and GIZ, focuses on fostering gender equality through football-based leadership programs.
By involving both boys and girls in mixed football and leadership training, the program aims to dismantle societal barriers and stereotypes, inspiring a cultural shift in communities across selected districts of the Volta Region.
Ama Brobey Williams, Deputy General Secretary of the GFA, highlighted the program’s groundbreaking nature:
“For the first time in Ghana, boys and girls will play mixed football together – a step towards narrowing the gap between them. It should be a priority for every leader to cultivate the habit of empowerment and sustain the legacies we create.”
Gifty Oware-Mensah, GFA Executive Council Member, emphasized the transformative impact of the initiative:
“The Girls4Goals project empowers young girls through sports, education, and healthy lifestyles, inspiring them to reach their full potential. This program aims to develop skills, build confidence, and erase the notion of football being just a men’s game.”
Togbi Subo II from the Agave Clan, Anloga, also endorsed the initiative, recognizing its potential to drive meaningful change in the community and beyond:
“Girls4Goals is a beacon of hope for our community, breaking barriers and inspiring a future where our daughters can rise to their full potential through sports and leadership. This initiative will not only transform lives but also redefine our cultural narrative for generations to come.”
The students expressed their excitement about the program with one of them saying “I believe this will inspire the girls in our school to do more. Thanks to the GFA for bringing this to our school.”
“I’m very happy they’ve brought Girls4Goals to our school. In our school, most of the girls don’t know how to play football but because of this, we can now play with the boys.”
