Sports is an avenue for improving academic excellence - Kwabena Ampong Mante

One of the major problems indirectly impeding education in communities in Ghana is the absence of sports equipment and facilities that could be used to encourage academic work.

Taking a closer look at the current decline in educational trends, there should be a paradigm shift to raise the general standards in the area of learning for all children.

It is estimated that more than half of the children in rural community schools in Ghana do not have access to quality sports equipment and opportunities, such as jerseys, boots, balls, and other sports materials, which would help create a conducive environment for their learning.

Kwabena Ampong Mante, the founder of PROJECT 3:1 (After School Soccer) and a junior attending Covenant Day School in Matthews, North Carolina, USA, considers this a major impediment to the progress of education in Ghana.

He has supported one school in Adukrom, specifically Adukrom Methodist Primary and JHS in the Okere District in the Eastern Region, with several sports supplies.

This donation witnessed support from Patience Mante (his mother), Rev. Darko Ampem, Linda Adu (education directorate representative), assembly members, community members, teachers, and the entire community.

Explaining the origin of the name, the founder of Project 3:1 (After School Soccer) said, "The name 'Project 3:1 After-School Program' comes from Ecclesiastes 3:1, which states, 'For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.' This means that there is a time for everything we do in our lives."

According to him, "As a high school student-athlete, I recognize the importance of performing well in school to create opportunities for myself, as well as making time for the sports I participate in to relieve stress and establish strong bonds between teammates. My experience in high school has taught me the essence of a student learning-wellness balance and the value of extracurricular activities, especially sports programs after school."

Kwabena Ampong Mante indicated further that, as a Ghanaian-American with family ties in Adukrom, "I’ve chosen to focus on developing after-school soccer programs in Ghana, starting at the Methodist Junior High School in Adukrom, because I had the privilege to participate in any sport and after-school activity I desired; therefore, I want to allow students in Ghana who do not have the same opportunity to participate in an after-school program where they play the sport they love."

Kwabena Ampong Mante highlighted the negative effects of too much stress on students during school hours, thus highlighting the need to provide avenues to ease child stress, which might enhance educational performance.

This motivated him to mobilize resources to support these young ones. He advised educational stakeholders to ensure students have access to stress-relieving channels.

The founder of Project 3:1 (After School Soccer), Kwabena Ampong Mante, lamented in an interview after the donation how most of the children in Ghanaian communities lack this support.

He affirmed that the high rate of poor academic performance in schools in our communities is linked to the absence of socially friendly equipment.

He pointed out that he discovered the Adukrom community, where he hails from, needed this support; hence, it was prudent to give back to his community (Adukrom Methodist School).

He, therefore, called on the leadership of the government, institutions, opinion leaders, clergy, and individuals to see sports as one of the major means of prolonging the lifespan of children, building capabilities and confidence, and unearthing the talents and potential of the young ones.

He further urged teachers to incorporate sports into academic work to create a conducive learning environment.

The headmistress of Adukrom Methodist Basic School, Mary Arko, expressed her profound gratitude to Kwabena Ampong Mante and said the equipment will go a long way toward bringing happiness to the students.