The U.S. Embassy in Ghana has begun a sports diplomacy program aimed at strengthening girls’ development in football by equipping coaches with skills to nurture both athletic performance and leadership qualities. The first phase took place in Tamale, where sixteen coaches underwent a train‑the‑trainer session focused on building character, confidence and teamwork among young female footballers.
U.S. Embassy Education and Cultural Attaché Donye Eldridge explained that the initiative seeks to close the persistent gap in youth sports development. “We want to make sure we keep that same energy, and we have similar pipelines when it comes to developing the leadership in girls as we do with boys,” she said from the sidelines of the training.
The program featured Amy Griffin, a former United States Women’s National Team player and 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, now Executive Director of the Seattle Reign Academy. Griffin highlighted the importance of opportunities for girls to play, noting that her own journey began with a place to play despite the absence of a U.S. women’s national team at the time.
Griffin praised the enthusiasm and talent of the Tamale girls, describing them as “sweating, but smiling.” She urged the players to enjoy football and not become overly focused on medals, emphasizing that sports foster confidence and leadership.
During a practical session, 96 girls applied the lessons their coaches had learned, working in teams, making mistakes, supporting one another and developing leadership on the pitch. Two coaches, Mohammed Nurudeen Sham‑una and Fuseini Seidu Babammu, thanked the U.S. Embassy for the training, saying it would be translated to the young talents they coach.
The U.S. Embassy states that the initiative is part of efforts to use football to create stronger people‑to‑people connections while building a more inclusive pathway for girls in sports. After Tamale, the program will move to Kumasi and conclude in Accra.
