A scene from the programme
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sports development and combating human trafficking through its sponsorship of the Netball Federation of Ghana National Championship.
The two-day championship, held on October 16 and 17, 2026, at the Accra Sports Stadium Tennis Court, brought together participating teams to compete while promoting teamwork, discipline and awareness of human trafficking.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Project Assistant at IOM, Edem Semordzi said the organisation had deliberately chosen to support netball as part of its efforts to extend sports sponsorship beyond football, which traditionally attracts a significant share of investment.
He explained that the sponsorship forms part of IOM’s trafficking-in-sports project, which seeks to use sporting activities to educate young people about the dangers of human trafficking and exploitation.
According to him, young athletes can become vulnerable to traffickers who exploit their ambitions of securing sporting opportunities and advancing their careers.
Mr. Semordzi urged players, coaches, parents, officials and supporters to remain vigilant, verify opportunities through trusted sources and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
The organisation also called for sustained collaboration with the Netball Federation of Ghana, expressing hope that the partnership would expand in subsequent years.
IOM further emphasised that sports could serve as an effective platform for raising awareness, strengthening protective networks and empowering young people to recognise the warning signs of human trafficking.
Meanwhile, the National Sports Authority (NSA) has commended the Netball Federation of Ghana for organising the championship and creating opportunities for athletes to develop their skills.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the NSA’s Deputy Director-General in charge of Technical, Christine Ashi highlighted the importance of netball in promoting sports development, particularly among girls and young women.
She said competitions of this nature provide athletes with opportunities to showcase their abilities, build confidence and pursue higher levels of competition, including international representation.
Ashi also expressed appreciation to IOM for supporting the championship, noting that partnerships between sports organisations and development partners were essential to building inclusive communities.
She encouraged participating athletes to compete fairly, respect their opponents and demonstrate determination throughout the tournament.
The championship is expected to promote netball development while using sport to advance community awareness, social inclusion and efforts to prevent human trafficking.
BY Wletsu Ransford
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