The Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has launched the Empower Her – Kayayei Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at empowering women aged 18 and above through the transformative power of rugby.
The programme is designed to provide a platform for confidence-building, life skills, health education, and social integration for women who are often excluded from structured sporting opportunities.
The programme specifically targets Kayayei women, who are young adult females who migrate to urban centers in search of economic opportunities. These women work as head porters in busy markets, carrying heavy loads for minimal income under extremely difficult conditions. Despite their resilience, Kayayei women often lack access to education, health support, and structured personal development opportunities.
On February 1, 2026, the GRFU team engaged with the Kayayei Association at the Agbogbloshie Market – Yam Market in Accra.
The engagement began with introductions and an outline of the programme’s vision, emphasizing that rugby offers pathways beyond playing, including opportunities as match officials, coaches, volunteers, and administrators. An open dialogue followed, during which the programme’s intentional focus on women was clarified.
The engagement included screening rugby matches on television to demonstrate the game and generate enthusiasm among participants. The programme also provided washing powder and sanitary pads to the women, highlighting its holistic support approach. In appreciation, the Kayayei women presented tubers of yam to the GRFU team.
The engagement concluded with a practical T1 Rugby session, where participants learned basic skills such as passing and catching in a safe, non-contact environment. The session was marked by excitement, teamwork, and growing confidence.
The Agbogbloshie outreach was a successful and impactful engagement, demonstrating the potential of rugby to empower women and promote social inclusion. Through the Empower Her – Kayayei Programme, GRFU continues to expand participation, strengthen inclusion, and position rugby as a tool for empowerment and social development across Ghana.