Fomer GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi Launches Prisons Football Project
- Former Ghana Football Association President Kwesi Nyantakyi launched his Prisons Football Project on Tuesday
- The outstanding initiative has been widely praised by Ghanaian football fans for its potential to provide a fresh start to inmates
- Kwesi Nyantakyi was the GFA boss between December 2005 and June 2018, when the Number 12 exposé led to his downfall
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwesi Nyantakyi, together with a group of ex-Ghanaian football legends, officially launched the Prison Football Project on June 3, 2025, at Nsawam Prison.
This visionary initiative aims to provide incarcerated individuals with a unique opportunity for personal redemption and a shot at a better life, utilising football as a transformative tool.
Source: Getty Images
The project seeks to scout untapped football talent that could potentially benefit Ghana's national team, the Black Stars.
Nyantakyi's vision behind the Prison Football Project
Kwesi Nyantakyi, who is at the forefront of this ambitious initiative, believes that the prison system, often viewed as a place of punishment, can be transformed into a space for rehabilitation, self-reflection, and growth.
His concept revolves around the idea that some of the greatest football talents may be hidden behind bars, and with the right guidance, they could shine on the global stage.
The former FIFA Council member, in an interview with Ghanasoccernet, revealed he was inspired to start this idea after visiting his friend and ex-Wa All Stars official, Alhaji Inusah, who is an inmate.
''It could happen to anybody,'' Nyantakyi said.
Ex-Ghana football stars supporting the cause
In a bid to make the project a success, Nyantakyi enlisted the support of several former Ghanaian football greats, including Bayern Munich's Sammy Kuffour, Anthony Baffoe, and Augustine Ahinful.
Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, and former Ghana assistant head coach Maxwell Konadu, who also coached and won league titles with Asante Kotoko, were also part of the delegation.
These figures, who have etched their names into the history books of Ghanaian football, are expected to play a key role in motivating inmates.
For example, Sammy Kuffour is a legend of African football, having excelled in the Bundesliga for close to a decade, winning multiple trophies. Getting such a high-profile personality to interact with prisoners is refreshing.
Maxwell Konadu, in a chat with YEN.com.gh, remarked that Nyantakyi's inititiative mus be supported and hailed by all.
''This is a great idea, a great project that must be celebrated by the everyone. That is why we all came to support the launching.'' Konadu said.
Prisons Football Project to unearth hidden talents
One of the more groundbreaking aspects of the Prison Football Project is its potential to unearth hidden football talent among the incarcerated population.
Football scouts, former players, and coaches are expected to be actively involved in identifying individuals who show promise.
Talented prisoners could even have future opportunities to represent the Black Stars, who recently defeated Madagascar 3-0 in Morocco.
Offering redemption and hope to prisoners
While the potential football talent is one of the key drivers of the project, the broader goal is to offer the prisoners a sense of purpose and a chance at redemption.
For those inmates who feel abandoned and hopeless, the Prison Football Project seeks to provide a positive outlet for self-expression and personal development.
A project that has already garnered praise
The Prisons Football Project has been hailed as a transformative approach to prison rehabilitation that goes beyond the traditional punitive measures.
Many believe that using football as a means to promote positive change within prisons is an innovative and impactful solution to the challenges faced by incarcerated individuals.
One person wrote on Facebook:
''Nice one. Some could just breakthrough from prison. Remember Joseph was a prisoner.''
Another football fan reacted:
''Wow! What a great inititiative. God bless Nyantakyi for this.''
A third person also hailed the ex-GFA boss and the former internationals.
''This is a wonderful project from Kwesi and the Ghana legends. These are some of the things we need from our former stars, touching hearts. Kudos to them all,''
Kwesi Nyantakyi's FIFA ban
Following Tiger Eye's football corruption exposé in June 2018 that rocked Ghana football, Kwesi Nyantakyi was found guilty of breaching FIFA's Code of Ethics, ultimately leading to his lifetime ban from all football-related activities, as seen on FIFA's website.
Source: Twitter
However, the former Wa All Stars owner appealed the verdict at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to get his punishment reduced to 15 years in October 2020, as covered by the BBC.
Kwesi Nyantakyi vs Anas Aremeyaw Anas
Eerlier, YEN.com.gh reported on the famous legal battle between the former GFA president and the Ghanaian investigative journalist.
The ex-CAF vice-president filed a lawsuit against Anas for invading his privacy while making a myriad of claims in the protracted proceedings.
Source: YEN.com.gh
