By: Eric Eli Adzie
When one speaks of Ghana’s footballing heartbeat, regions like Ashanti, Bono Ahafo and Greater Accra often dominate the conversation. Yet, buried in the red soils and proud traditions of the Volta Region lies a football story that is as rich, passionate, and enduring as any in the country, forged through grit, community pride, and unflinching love for the beautiful game.
From the days of Volta Heroes and Ho Mighty Eagle to Voradep, Juantex, and the indomitable Kpando Heart of Lions, the region’s football history is a tapestry of dreams, rivalries, and resilience that continues to define Volta’s identity in Ghana’s football landscape.
The Genesis: When Heroes Walked the Pitches
The story begins in the early post-independence years, when football spread like wildfire across the Volta Region. Local communities formed clubs not for profit or fame but for pride and representation. Volta Heroes of Ho, among the pioneers, became a beacon of regional talent and a symbol of the area’s growing football culture, inspiring the emergence of other clubs which turned the region into a vibrant football hub.
These were the days when football was played on dusty school parks and community fields, with drums and chants echoing through the streets on match days. Clubs thrived on volunteerism and community ownership where fans washed jerseys, local traders sponsored balls, and civil servants contributed to transport costs.
Volta Region tasted elite football for the first time in the 1962/63 football season when Volta Heroes Football Club made history as the first team from the Volta Region to play elite football, marking a significant milestone in the region’s sporting journey. Based in Ho, the regional capital, Volta Heroes broke barriers in the late 20th century when they qualified to compete in Ghana’s top-tier football league, long before other Volta clubs gained national recognition. Unfortunately, Volta Heroes couldn’t endure the tense nature of elite football and got relegated the following season. Despite facing financial and infrastructural challenges, Volta Heroes’ pioneering feat remains a proud chapter in Volta’s football history, a testament to the determination, talent, and passion that define the region’s contribution to Ghanaian football. They finished the season in the last position with 18 points after 34 rounds of matches and were relegated from top-flight football in that same season.
It took the region four years to make another presence in the elite division. This time around, it was two teams who were sworn rivals in the regional capital.
Ho Mighty Eagles and Ho Sunset were both promoted to Ghana’s elite football division for the first time in 1966 and became fierce city rivals in the process. They both stayed in the league for two seasons before being relegated after the 1967/68 season. Ho Mighty Eagles was then regarded as a club for the natives whilst Ho Sunset was for the resident visitors. This assumption was as a result of the founding fathers of both clubs. Unlike Volta Heroes that got relegated just after a season, both teams did a season more. They finally got eradicated from elite football in 1971 when they were both relegated.
Volta United Football Club then took the sole representation and got promoted in 1972. The club holds a historic place in Volta football history as one of the clubs to represent the region in elite football. Based in Ho, the regional capital, the club emerged during a period when football in the region was still developing, making Volta United a true pioneer and a symbol of the area’s sporting ambition. The club, however, got relegated after three seasons in the elite division in 1975. Volta United Football Club gained their maiden promotion into Ghana’s elite football division for the first time in 1972 and became the 4th team from the Volta Region to do so and the 4th from the Volta regional capital Ho. After both Ho Mighty Eagles and Ho Sunset got relegated from the elite division, Volta United immediately replaced them and kept high the flag of the Volta Region. The team gained promotion alongside Highlanders FC, Northern United and Swedru Fankobaa.
Next to light up the Premier League after several years of regional absence was Juantex FC. Volta Juantex FC is sponsored and owned by Juapong Textiles Limited, a textile company in Juapong. In 1977, Juantex FC, a vibrant football club, made history by qualifying for the Ghana National League, the top tier of Ghanaian football. Their qualification marked a proud moment for the Volta Region, as it signified the region’s growing quest for presence in national football. Though Juantex FC is no longer active in Ghana’s major competitions today, their influence remains part of the foundation of Volta Region football. The club helped inspire later generations and laid the groundwork for the rise of regional giants. Juantex’s legacy is remembered not just in trophies or titles, but in the passion, unity, and footballing culture it nurtured among Volta youth, especially those in Juapong, a legacy that continues to inspire grassroots football across the region. The club is always associated with former player and coach Abdul-Karim Zito, who played for Juantex before moving to Kumasi Asante Kotoko. Interestingly, Juantex was relegated from the league in 1980 just after three (3) seasons of elite football.
The Rise of Ho Voradep: Volta’s Golden Era
If there was ever a period when the Volta Region stood toe-to-toe with Ghana’s football giants, it was during the rise of Ho Voradep. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Voradep became the pride of the Volta Region and a formidable force in the Ghana Premier League. Voradep’s disciplined style, combined with the home advantage of passionate Ho supporters, made the club a nightmare for visiting teams. Their defining moment came in 1992 when Ho Voradep won the FA Cup against Neoplan Stars, an achievement that etched their name into Ghana’s football history books. Their participation in the CAF Winners’ Cup put Volta football on the continental stage, giving the region a sense of pride that lingers to this day. The height of their achievements was echoed with their victory over Asante Kotoko in the Champions of Champions Cup.
Ho Voradep was promoted into elite football in the 1989/90 season. The team was formed in 1986 as a departmental team for workers of the Volta Regional Agricultural Development Project but later transitioned into a community embodiment and identity. The club rose to become a Premier League team in the early 1990s. Despite these rich achievements and history of the club, they suffered their relegation in the 1991/92 season, the same season they recorded their highest achievement. The Voradep era proved that talent in the Volta Region could compete with any across the nation if given the right support.
The region went through a turbulent period between 1992 to 2002 without regional representation in the Ghana Premier League. After the exploits of Ho Voradep, several attempts by Volta clubs to qualify through the regional playoffs for Premier League action proved futile.
In the 2002/03 season, Heart of Lions FC emerged and were promoted to the Ghanaian Premier League, marking an end to a daunting period of zero elite football action in the Volta Region. The team among others became a household name for the people of the Volta Region, especially those in Kpando where the team hails from, under the ownership of Victor Ahiakpor. Established officially in 2002, the club quickly rose through the ranks of Ghanaian football to become the first modern-era Volta Region club to maintain a strong presence in the Ghana Premier League for several seasons.
Lions became the only torchbearers for the region and became the first team to make over a decade in the Premier League before being relegated in 2015. Life in the lower tier became too difficult in their attempt to make a quick return to elite football. But the Lions eventually made that quest successful after eight years of determination, resilience, and hard work. Heart of Lions Football Club sealed their long-awaited promotion to the Ghana Premier League, marking a glorious return of the Volta Region’s pride to top-flight football. The Lions confirmed their 2nd qualification at the end of the 2022/2023 Division One League (Zone 3) season, after an impressive campaign that saw them dominate their zone with consistency, discipline, and tactical brilliance. Under the guidance of experienced administrators and technical men, the Kpando-based club finished top of Zone 3 ahead of other strong contenders with several matches to spare. Their comeback rekindled memories of Volta’s footballing heritage following the legacy of past greats like Ho Voradep, Volta Heroes, Ho Sunset, Ho Mighty Eagles, Volta United and Juantex FC.
Heart of Lions’ promotion to the Ghana Premier League in 2023 marked the triumphant return of Volta football to the national spotlight, a reward for perseverance, vision, and community spirit. The Lions roared back to where they belong, thus among Ghana’s elite. The rise of Heart of Lions in the early 2000s brought a new energy. Based in Kpando, the Lions became the torchbearers of the region, sustaining Premier League representation when other clubs faded. Their consistent top-flight performances, including memorable campaigns in the CAF Confederation Cup, revived hopes that Volta football could once again produce national heroes. Lions are 2-time GHALCA Top 4 Champions and finished twice as runners-up of the Ghana Premier League.
Also to rekindle Volta Region’s impact was International Allies Football Club, who switched their name from Home Stars FC, and gained promotion into the 2013/2014 Premier League season as a Volta Region club. The National Division One League winners of Zone 3 enjoyed life in the elite division but were, however, relegated from the Ghana Premier League at the end of the 2020/2021 season. Their relegation was confirmed in July 2021 after finishing bottom of the league table. The club struggled throughout the season and was mathematically relegated with several games to spare. That same season became controversial after a match-fixing scandal in their league game against Ashanti Gold SC, which later led to sanctions from the Ghana Football Association (GFA). The club now participates in the second tier of Ghana football.
Just when it looked like the region was going to have sole representation in Heart of Lions after their second stint, Hohoe United made history by qualifying for the Ghana Premier League, marking a monumental achievement not only for the club but also for the entire Volta Region. Their qualification for the Ghana Premier League 2025-26 season stands as a proud moment in Ghanaian football, as Hohoe United became one of the few clubs from the region to earn a place among the nation’s elite.
This was the journey of our representation in the Ghana Premier League.
NB: Wondering why West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) wasn’t mentioned or featured as a Volta Region team? WAFA qualified to the Ghana Premier League as a Zone 2 team in the Central Region, Gomoa Fetteh. Their slot and identity do not belong to the Volta Region even though they moved to Sogakofe Fievie after Red Bull Academy moved out of their facility in the Volta Region. This can be confirmed by the club’s participation in Division One Zone 2 when they were eventually relegated from the Ghana Premier League. WAFA has now abandoned their slot in the Central Region (Zone 2) and have registered for Volta Regional Division 2 football and have qualified to the National Division One League last season. They can now be considered a club from the Volta Region but not when they were in the Premier League.
The Rivalries: A Clash of Pride and Passion
Football in the Volta Region has never been just about points. It has always been about pride. The rivalries between clubs such as Juantex and Volta United, Kpando Heart of Lions and Hohoe United, Juantex and Voradep defined generations of fans. The first of that intense rivalry was that which existed between Ho Sunset and Ho Mighty Eagles. Ho Mighty Eagles and Ho Sunset were promoted to the top-tier elite football league in Ghana for the first time in 1966. The two teams, who were city rivals in Ho, were both relegated after the 1967/68 season. Ho Sunset had finished bottom of the table in 1966/67 but avoided relegation that season due to point deductions for another club, Brong Ahafo Stars. Matches between these two clubs over the years were regional spectacles, a battle not just for supremacy on the pitch but for the soul of Volta football. Fans traveled in masses, dressed in club colors, filling the Ho Sports Stadium with chants and drumming.
Ho Mighty Eagles were among the earliest organized football clubs in the Volta Region. Known for their physical strength, tactical discipline, and loyal supporters, the Eagles represented the established order, the pride of Ho’s working class and football purists. Their players were admired for their technical discipline and unity, and the club often drew huge crowds at the Ho Sports Stadium. The Eagles became the benchmark for excellence and were seen as the club to beat in Ho.
Meanwhile, Ho Sunset FC emerged later as a younger, ambitious, and energetic side determined to challenge the Eagles’ dominance. The name “Sunset” reflected hope, brilliance, and a new dawn for Ho football. They played a more attacking, entertaining brand of football that attracted the city’s youth and students. Sunset’s management focused on talent development and flair, giving the club a modern appeal.
When Mighty Eagles met Sunset FC, the city of Ho came alive. The rivalry wasn’t just about football; it was a battle for identity, bragging rights, and generational pride. Matchdays at the Ho Sports Stadium were electric, full of drumming, dancing, and packed stands. Eagles’ fans often saw themselves as traditionalists defending the city’s football heritage, whilst Sunset fans viewed their club as the future, the new face of Ho’s sporting identity.
Games between them were fiercely contested, often decided by moments of brilliance or controversy. Victories were celebrated with parades through Ho township, and defeats were felt deeply in the community. Although both clubs eventually faded from the national spotlight, their rivalry laid the foundation for football development in Ho. They inspired the creation of later clubs which built on their passion and structure. The Mighty Eagles vs. Sunset rivalry taught Ho that football was not just a game but a unifying force, a symbol of pride, and a stage for talent. Many players from both sides went on to play for bigger clubs in Ghana’s top divisions, further enriching the Volta football legacy.
The rivalry between Juantex FC and Volta United was one of passion, pride, and purpose. Though both teams were not city rivals, their quest to maintain regional dominance and supremacy was a sight to behold. Their rivalry symbolized the height of community football culture when local clubs carried the dreams of an entire region. Though the clubs may be gone, their battles live on in Volta’s football folklore — stories of heroes, dreams, and the love of the beautiful game. When Juapong meets Ho, it’s a sight to behold.
Kpando Heart Of Lions and Hohoe United are expected to continue this regional rivalry when they clash in their first-ever Premiership fixture on day 17 of the ongoing Ghana Premier League. The rivalry between them runs deep in the football culture of the Volta Region. More than just a contest on the pitch, it is a battle for regional supremacy, pride, and recognition between two footballing powerhouses from neighboring towns, Kpando and Hohoe. The region will definitely come to a standstill in that first-leg game at the Hohoe Sports Stadium.
The Struggles in the Shadows
Behind the passion, however, lies a persistent struggle. Most Volta clubs have battled chronic underfunding, inadequate facilities, and lack of corporate sponsorship. The Ho Sports Stadium, once a symbol of regional football pride, has suffered years of neglect, affecting both training and home fixtures. Clubs have often been forced to rely on individual sacrifices, from managers funding travel expenses to supporters providing logistics. Without strong financial backing, many promising sides like Ho Sunset, Ho Mighty Eagles, Juantex, etc. faded into history, remembered only by those who witnessed their glory days. Despite these challenges, administrators across the region have shown remarkable resilience. They continue to organize local leagues, nurture youth teams, and advocate for better infrastructure. The Regional Football Association has also strengthened grassroots competitions, keeping the spirit of the game alive, whilst individuals like Mr. Joe Ayivor, Francis Aba, Rev. Dr. Bright Adonai etc. have contributed their quota to keep the game alive. The modern-day game is run professionally, and corporate entities must intervene and aid the football clubs financially.
The Modern Torchbearer: Heart of Lions
Today, Kpando Heart of Lions stands as the living legacy of Volta’s football tradition. After years in the wilderness, the Lions’ return to the Premier League marked not just a victory for the club but a symbolic rebirth for the entire region. Their determination, professionalism, and consistency reflect the enduring passion of a region that refuses to let its football heritage die. The club under the new ownership of Dr. Randy Abbey continues to inspire new generations of players, some of whom are now breaking into national teams and foreign leagues through the club’s efforts in the national league over the years. Heart of Lions’ success is proof that the spirit of Volta Heroes, Voradep, Mighty Eagles, and the rest still breathes through the region’s football DNA.
Relevance and Legacy
Football remains the Volta Region’s most powerful cultural export. The region may not yet boast the financial muscle of Accra or Kumasi, but it possesses something more enduring — a heritage of passion, loyalty, and unity. Despite Voradep being the only club from the Volta Region to win the FA Cup, both Ho Mighty Eagles and Inter Allies were losing finalists. Ho Mighty Eagles lost to Mysterious Dwarfs 1-0 in the 1968 finals whilst Inter Allies lost the 2013/14 finals 2-1 to Asante Kotoko. Ho Voradep in 1992 also won the Champions of Champions Cup, the first time a club from the region had done that. Meanwhile, Heart of Lions has also strived to finish the league as runners-up twice, 2013/14 and 2024/25 season.
From the dusty fields of Ho to the resurgent roars at Kpando, Volta’s football story is one of persistence. It reminds Ghana that football is not built on wealth alone, but on heart, soul, and community.
The legacy of Voradep and Heart of Lions continues to inspire the next generation.
In the end, the Volta Region’s football journey is not just a chronicle of wins and losses. It is a living testament to how a people, bound by dust, hope, and loyalty, have turned the game into a mirror of their soul.
Complete List of Premier League Clubs Included:
- Volta Heroes FC (Ho)
- Ho Mighty Eagles
- Ho Sunset FC
- Volta United (Ho)
- Juantex FC (Juapong)
- Ho Voradep FC
- Heart of Lions FC (Kpando)
- International Allies (Ho)
- Hohoe United
These clubs were the pride of their communities, often representing not just footballing ability but the spirit of unity and competition within the Volta Region.
One Response
nice piece