The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Football, in partnership with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Foundation, is set to organize a groundbreaking License D Coaching Course for female inmates at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison. This marks the first time an international football coaching training program is being held in a prison facility in Ghana.
The CAF Football for Reform program aims to equip female inmates with CAF-accredited coaching qualifications, enhancing their employment opportunities and facilitating their reintegration into society after their release. This initiative underscores the transformative power of football as a tool for rehabilitation and social change.
The GFA Foundation, in collaboration with the GFA Technical Department and technical support from CAF, is spearheading the training program. A total of 30 participants—25 inmates and five prison officers—will take part in this pioneering initiative. To ensure the program’s success, the Ghana Prison Service has assured CAF, through the GFA, of a safe and conducive environment for the training.
Meskerem Goshime, Head of CAF Women’s Football, emphasized the program’s mission to empower women through football coaching education. “This initiative provides valuable skills for their future while advancing gender equality and promoting social rehabilitation. We are thrilled to extend this opportunity to the Ghana Football Association to host the CAF Football for Reform Program,” she remarked.
In 2024, the GFA Foundation launched the GFA Foundation-Ghana Prison Project, a football-for-development initiative aimed at improving the welfare, reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates into society. This program is built on three core pillars:
- Provision of Football Items and Logistics: Donating essential football equipment to enhance sports activities within prison facilities.
- Coaching and Refereeing Training: Offering training opportunities for both inmates and prison officers to build their skills and expand their career options.
- Advocacy and Awareness: Organizing workshops to educate the public about the harmful effects of discrimination and stigmatization against prisons and prisoners.
This initiative reflects the shared vision of CAF and GFA to harness the unifying and transformative power of football, promoting societal change and fostering hope for marginalized groups.
GFA Communications
