At Siwdu Park, deaf and hearing players became teammates as Ghana launched a new inclusive football programme backed by Betano and ANOPA Project.
Ghana has a new space where the beautiful game belongs to everyone. At Siwdu Park, deaf and hearing young adults shared the pitch for the first inclusive match of a fresh initiative from Betano, the ANOPA Project and the Ghana Deaf Sports Federation. The goal is simple and powerful: use football to open doors, break down myths about disability and bring communities closer.
The programme is Betano's first corporate social responsibility project in Ghana. It brings together 160 young people aged 18 to 35, a mix of deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing participants, who will train, learn and compete side by side as equals.
The opening match is only the start. Players can look forward to structured training sessions, community games and an inclusive football festival. Coaches, referees and volunteers will also be trained in inclusive coaching, deaf awareness and accessible communication, so that every training ground and matchday is more welcoming.
The ambitions go well beyond the touchline. Organisers want participants to grow into team captains, peer leaders and advocates for equality in their communities. At least 40% of participants and youth leaders are expected to be women, giving the initiative a strong gender equality focus and pushing for greater female representation in Ghanaian football.
