Mobile Sports Project

Context

Ghana’s capital city is characterised by a very dense population about 56% of which are under 24. On account of the high rate of social inequalities, the young people’s vulnerability, and obstacles to health education, teenage pregnancy has become a major social and health problem. In 2014, 14% of 15- to 19-year-old girls had at least one child in Ghana (2014 GDHS Report). In localities of Jamestown, the young boys are being exposed to gangland violence, drug and substance addiction and crime.

Faced with this situation, DUNK Grassroots has relied on its experience and has undertaken to build facilities tailored to the practice of sport with inclusive programmes for empowering the young through sport. The focus shall be put on sensitising and supporting the most vulnerable in front of the daily life challenges.   

Objectives

• Allowing the young and children of poorer rural communities to have access to sports in safe recreational areas
• Encouraging discussions on gender equality, including girls’ right to participate in public sporting activities
• Reinforcing knowledge on contraceptive methods and sensitising the parents on the dangers of early marriages
• Improving knowledge on child protection and well-being, access to sports and daily life aptitudes

Activities

• Setting up safe spaces for play and fulfilment called “Sport Box” in the communities of Jamestown and Latebikorshie
• Staging football and basketball practice camps for 40 (forty) 16- to 25-year-old poor youngsters and 400 (four hundred) 10- to 15-year-old youngsters with health education and support programmes
• Sensitising on the dangers and risks of early marriages and pregnancies and promoting gender equality through sport

Impacts

• About 440 (four hundred and forty) 10- to 25-year-old youngsters 40% of which being girls shall benefit from new facilities in Jamestown and Latebikorshie
• Over 150 young coaches shall be mobilised to oversee the young and organise the events
• Over 160 youngsters shall be appointed as “spokespersons” in the targeted localities for them to speak out for children’s rights
• Over 800 families shall be impacted by the awareness-raising programmes