Empowering Ghana's street kids through sports

Street children’s right to sports has long been acknowledged as a vital human right, offering hope and crucial opportunities for growth and empowerment.

Recognizing the transformative potential of sports in shaping young lives, Polish-Ghanaian philanthropist Omenaa Mensah is on a mission to uplift underprivileged children in Accra, Ghana’s capital, by harnessing the power of sports and arts.

With the support of prominent ambassadors, including NBA veteran Pops Mensah-Bonsu, the Omenaa Foundation recently broke ground on the Kids Haven Sport & Art Complex in Accra. This project aims to provide a safe space for sports, arts, and holistic care for Ghana's street children, who often face numerous social and economic challenges.

Given the rising number of street children in Ghana, the Kids Haven Sport & Art Complex stands as a beacon of hope in the fight against child streetism. The complex seeks to offer more than just sports and art; it strives to build self-belief and create pathways to future opportunities. “The project is more than sports or art; it is about building self-belief and creating pathways to opportunity,” says Omenaa Mensah, the founder and president of the Omenaa Foundation.

The project has garnered support from an impressive array of government officials and international ambassadors. These include Geoffrey Tamakloe, a representative of Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Polish Deputy Minister of Culture and National Heritage Marta Cienkowska, as well as international figures like former NBA player Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Poland’s top fitness trainer Ewa Chodakowska, and Ghanaian artist Larry Amponsah.

Since its inception in 2014, the Omenaa Foundation has made a profound impact on vulnerable children in Ghana, Poland, and Ukraine. In 2021, the foundation launched the Kids Haven School in Ghana, offering a safe haven for children rescued from child labor. Now, with the opening of the Kids Haven Sport & Art Complex, the foundation has expanded its mission to provide a holistic development environment that integrates education, sports, and art for children in need.

The complex will feature state-of-the-art sports facilities, including basketball and football fields, tennis courts, and an art therapy center, providing children with diverse opportunities to explore their talents. The center will also offer medical and psychological support, ensuring the overall wellbeing of the children. Through partnerships with local Ghanaian organizations, the complex will host international exchange programs, bringing Polish doctors and artists together with local professionals to collaborate on initiatives that promote youth wellbeing and cultural exchange.

Through this ambitious project, the Kids Haven Sport & Art Complex aims to craft a brighter future for Ghana’s youth, inspiring them to thrive, dream, and succeed. Thanks to the unwavering commitment of Omenaa Mensah and the support of dedicated ambassadors, the foundation continues to make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable children, helping them to overcome adversity and build better lives for themselves.