THE FUTURE IS FEMALE: ELEVATING WOMEN’S FOOTBALL IN GHANA

In a country where football reigns supreme, the rising interest in female footballers is not just a trend but a revolutionary shift that seeks to elevate women’s roles and recognition in the sport.

 An intense training section of the Black Princesses for an upcoming tournament.  Source: GFA 

Women's football championships receive significant attention in many countries, but in Ghana, it remains a hidden gem waiting to shine.

 Ghana women's football national teams comprise black damsels - the U15, black Maidens -U17, black Princess U20, and the senior national team, the Black Queens.  

    

The Black Queens in a pose during a friendly match against Japan.   Source: GFA

The Black Princesses first appeared in the African World Cup qualification in 2006 and have qualified for every World Cup since 2010.

According to the Black Princess management committee, the level of sponsorship and investment in these teams is significantly low compared to the Black Stars, who gained constant sponsorship but failed to meet expectations.

 Despite the limited support from the Ghana Football Association, the national female teams continue to thrive.

 Recently, the Black Princesses emerged victorious at the Africa Games claiming a gold medal and a coveted spot in the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia, but this is unknown publicly.

 

The Black Princesses beaming with the joy after a hard-fought competition at the African Games. Source: GFA

Bismark Larbi and Phillip Eshun, both avid football fans, speak on the deafening silence of women's football in the country.

 “I don’t think they are publicised enough, says Bismark “we only get to hear the results and watch the highlights later.”

 Philip says “We perceive the female national teams do not exist. Mostly we believe that football is a man’s sport rather than women's, so much attention has been drawn to men's football.”

Could traditional perspectives be a contributory factor to the dimmed spotlight on these young athletes?

Yusif Basigi, Black Princesses Coach, shares some reasons why the Black Princesses do not get support. 

“Initially, there was a misconception about women playing football. Parents thought that if a woman was playing football, they could not give birth or do any house chores but of late the perception has changed. Now if you are a female football, you can be the breadwinner of the family.” Internationally, we have seen examples where women's empowerment has positively impacted female sports teams. In some countries, the First Lady has supported and endorsed female national teams, helping them receive the recognition and respect they deserve.


         

"Empower Her Game" is an initiative dedicated to honouring the incredible contributions of women in sports.    Source: GFA

Despite the perceived concern over the lack of attention given to women’s football, Neil Armstrong Mortagbe, Head of PR and Strategy at the Ghana Football Association (GFA), asserts that the organization has not sidelined the women's team. 

“We have a concept called empowering her Game, so we launched the Women’s Football Strategy to bring women's football closer to the people and involve more women in football.”

Neil Armstrong Mortagbe explains why they allocate resources to the Black Stars rather than the women's national team in the video

 As the Black Princesses prepare for the World Cup elevating the accomplishments of these promising female athletes is crucial not only for gender equality but also for the overall growth and development of beautiful games in the country and beyond.



A LEVEL 400 FINAL YEAR PRODUCTION BY JOYCE YAMBLE.


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