The friendly match, which featured the Kwadaso Saturday Special team and the Sunday Special team, formed part of the initiative dubbed “Empowering Communities and Youth for the Promotion of Adolescents’ Reproductive Health, Gender Equality and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence through Civic Engagement.”

The initiative is sponsored by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) under the Adolescent Girls’ Programme.

It seeks to improve knowledge of adolescent sexual and reproductive health among girls and boys while promoting positive attitudes and behaviours to prevent GBV and harmful social norms.

The programme also aims to increase community awareness of adolescent reproductive health through innovative civic education approaches, including recreational activities, while encouraging men and boys to become advocates for gender equality and the protection of adolescent girls.

Addressing the players and residents, the Ashanti Regional Director of the NCCE, Madam Cynthia Anima Boadu, urged the two teams to champion the rights and protection of women and young girls in their communities.

She explained the objectives of the initiative and emphasised the importance of community engagement activities in raising awareness and promoting behavioural change on issues affecting adolescents and women.

The Kwadaso Municipal Director of the NCCE, Madam Mavis Achiaa Opoku, also urged young people and parents to support the initiative by sharing its messages in their homes, schools and communities.

She encouraged adolescents to make informed and healthy choices, seek accurate and reliable information, and consult trusted adults or health professionals whenever they had concerns about their health and well-being.

The match ended 1–1 at full time, with the Saturday Special team emerging victorious after a penalty shootout.

The event concluded with the presentation of medals, branded T-shirts and a trophy to the participating teams. The Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, Professor Kingsley Nyarko, also donated GH¢1,000 to support the teams.

The participants pledged their commitment to supporting initiatives that promote healthier, safer and more equitable communities within the Kwadaso Municipality.