The 2025 Duamenefa Regional Tournament ended on an inspiring note with a powerful message from H.E. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, Founder of the Tanko Foundation and Member of the Council of State, who reaffirmed his conviction that sports can be a transformative tool for peace, unity, and socio-economic growth.
Addressing thousands of spectators, H.E. Tanko reflected on the tournament’s remarkable journey since its inception in 2017 — from a modest local initiative to a regional institution powered by thousands of volunteers and life-changing community programmes.
“Sport is not just recreation; it is development in motion,” he said. “It connects talent to opportunity, and communities to shared purpose.”
Highlighting key milestones, he revealed that the Duamenefa platform has produced professional footballers, awarded scholarships, established a vocational training school, and supported vulnerable women with livelihood tools. “These are measurable impacts that change the trajectory of lives,” he stated.
H.E. Tanko emphasised that national progress must be a shared responsibility, not a burden solely on the government. He called on NGOs, corporate bodies, and philanthropists to partner with the Tanko and Duamenefa Foundations to co-invest in youth and community development.
To policymakers, he outlined three key priorities:
Institutionalise funding for regional sports programmes.
Create transparent talent pathways linked to national and international academies.
Strengthen infrastructure and remove administrative barriers that limit youth mobility.
“Every cedi invested in youth development returns manifold in reduced social cost and increased productivity,” he noted. “Let us not treat the Duamenefa Tournament as a one-day spectacle but as a platform for long-term transformation.”
Concluding his address, he charged the players: “Play with honour, respect your opponents, and represent your families with dignity.”
“May God bless the Duamenefa Foundation for its service, and may He bless every young athlete who dares to dream,” he said.
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Source: myjoyonline.com