The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially launched the Girls4Goals initiative, a groundbreaking program aimed at promoting gender equality and empowerment through football. The launch event, held at the Keta Business School today, drew hundreds of students, local leaders, and stakeholders, celebrating a shared vision for inclusivity and progress.

The colourful ceremony featured cultural performances, including the traditional Boboobo dance, and a mixed-gender football match—a first in Ghana—that embodied the program’s mission to bridge the gender gap in sports.

Girls4Goals is a nine-month initiative funded by the GFA, FIFA, La Guilde, and GIZ. The program integrates football with leadership training, targeting boys and girls in the Volta Region to break societal barriers and foster mutual respect. It aims to shift cultural norms and inspire communities to embrace gender equality.

“For the first time in Ghana, boys and girls will play mixed football together—a step towards narrowing the gap between them,” said Ama Brobey Williams, Deputy General Secretary of the GFA. “It should be a priority for every leader to cultivate the habit of empowerment and sustain the legacies we create.”

Empowering a generation

Gifty Oware-Mensah, a GFA Executive Council Member, highlighted the initiative’s broader goals: “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.”

Jennifer Amankwaa Sarpong, Head of Women’s Development at the GFA, affirmed the association’s commitment to fostering growth in women’s football. “The vision of GFA is to ensure women's football in Ghana thrives. The Girls4Goals project is an opportunity to inspire girls to see football as a space where they can excel alongside men.”

Community endorsement

The initiative also received strong support from traditional leaders like Togbi Subo II of the Agave Clan in Anloga. He described it as “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.”

Students expressed enthusiasm about the program’s impact. One student remarked, “I believe this will inspire the girls in our school to do more. Thanks to the GFA for bringing this to our school.” Another added, “Most of the girls here didn’t know how to play football, but this initiative means we can now play with the boys.”

Looking ahead

With robust backing from the GFA, FIFA, and other partners, Girls4Goals envisions a transformative future for Ghana’s sports and societal landscape. The initiative seeks to create a generation of girls and boys breaking free from limiting norms and embracing equality.

“This is not just about football,” said a GFA representative. “It’s about building a society where every girl dares to dream and has the support to make those dreams a reality.”

The Girls4Goals initiative is poised to become a cornerstone in Ghana’s pursuit of inclusivity and empowerment, setting a new standard for gender equality in sports.