Kozie presents 2 footballs to Akyirebe Academy Coach to assist them with their training
The New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary candidate for Adentan Constituency, Akosua Asaa Manu, has launched one-day football gala aimed at promoting unity, creating awareness against violence, and spotlighting local football talent. The event, held at her campaign office in Adjiriganor, drew community members and prominent figures who endorsed her vision for a harmonious election season.
Scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the Adjiriganor Astro Turf, the football gala will feature 16 teams from across the Adentan constituency. Its core objective is to instill a culture of non-violence ahead of the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, fostering peace and community cohesion. By leveraging the universal appeal of sports, Manu seeks to redirect the energy of the youth towards constructive engagement, countering election-related tensions.
Gala competition
The competition promises an exciting day of football, with substantial prizes for the most outstanding teams. The winning team will be awarded a trophy, a cash prize of 10,000 Ghana cedis, a full set of jerseys, and medals. First Runners-Up will receive 10,000 Ghana cedis, jerseys, and medals. Second Runners-Up will 7,000 Ghana cedis, medals, and jerseys. Third Runners-Up will receive 5,000 Ghana cedis, medals, and jerseys.
Fourth placed will get 3,000 Ghana cedis cash prize.
In addition to team prizes, individual accolades will recognize exceptional performance. The best player and best goalkeeper will each receive 1,000 Ghana cedis. Awards will also be presented to the best-behaved supporters’ group and the best match official, each earning 1,000 Ghana cedis. These incentives are aimed at encouraging sportsmanship and positive behavior throughout the event.
Uncovering talents
Addressing attendees at the launch, Ms. Manu, who is affectionately called ‘Kozie’, shared her vision for the gala as a talent discovery platform. She expressed confidence in Adentan’s potential to produce football stars who can compete on the international stage, referencing celebrated Ghanaian players like Mohammed Kudus. With football scouts expected to attend, she hopes the tournament will propel local talents to new heights.
“This gala is not just about football; it’s about creating a stronger, united community. We want our youth to recognize that they have more to offer than being used for violence during elections. Sports bring people together, and this is an opportunity to channel their energy positively,” she said.
She stressed the importance of teamwork, discipline and respect — values that sports cultivate and that are crucial for community development. Her vision is for the youth to become ambassadors of peace and positive change, not just in Adentan but across Ghana.
She emphasised that the gala was crafted to unite the youth and dissuade them from engaging in electoral violence. “We want to show our young people that there are better ways to contribute to their community than through conflict. This event is about showing them that they can be a force for good in Adentan,” she added.
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