A community sports and mental health initiative has brought together dozens of men in Accra to discuss mental wellbeing through football and traditional games, as Ghana joins global efforts to address growing concerns around men’s mental health.
The event, known as The King’s Game, was organised by the Get Out Of Depression (GOOD) Foundation in partnership with Curious Minds Ghana, Tellmonifa, Appiah Sports Impact and the University of Ghana Medical Students Association (UGMSA). It was held at the Special Ice Astroturf in Dzorwulu on Saturday and formed part of activities marking Men’s Mental Health Month.
The three-hour programme combined football with recreational activities such as oware, ludo, Uno, card games, arts and painting. Organisers said the approach was designed to create a relaxed environment where men could engage more openly on mental health issues.
The initiative forms part of the Tell A King campaign by the GOOD Foundation, which seeks to break the stigma around men’s mental health and encourage men to seek help when needed.
Speaking to participants, the Founder and Team Lead of the GOOD Foundation, Miss Helena Amoah (Nana Aba Appiatewaa), said mental health challenges among men remain a growing global concern. She cited World Health Organization estimates suggesting that one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds globally, with about 80 per cent of those deaths involving men.
She added that mental health is now one of the world’s leading health concerns, driven by rising stress, economic pressure and long-standing social norms that discourage men from expressing emotional distress. She also noted that cultural expectations such as “men don’t cry” have contributed to many men internalising their struggles rather than seeking professional support.
“Over time, men have learned to cope in silence or through familiar outlets such as sport and games,” she said, adding that this informed the decision to move mental health conversations away from formal settings into community spaces such as football pitches.
A mental health professional who engaged participants during the event encouraged men to recognise early signs of emotional distress, challenge stigma and make use of available mental health services and helplines in Ghana. The session also highlighted the importance of early intervention in preventing more severe mental health conditions.
UGMSA won the football competition held during the event, topping a series of friendly matches designed to promote teamwork, relaxation and positive social interaction rather than high-stakes competition.
The General Secretary of UGMSA, Mr Alfred Nsiah, said the initiative was particularly relevant during Men’s Mental Health Month, noting that men often face significant mental health challenges while being less likely to access professional care.
He said programmes like The King’s Game provide practical avenues for awareness creation and encourage conversations that are often avoided in everyday life.
Participants described the initiative as refreshing and effective, with several calling for it to be expanded to other communities across Ghana to reach more men who may be silently struggling.
Programmes and Events Manager of the GOOD Foundation, Mr George Boakye, said the organisation is committed to making The King’s Game an annual fixture every June as part of its broader mental health advocacy under the Tell A King campaign.
He also called on corporate institutions, development partners and media organisations to support the expansion of the initiative, noting that sustained funding and collaboration are essential to scale impact.
Mental health advocates continue to warn that stigma, social conditioning and limited access to psychosocial support remain key barriers preventing men from seeking help, even as global data shows men account for a majority of suicide-related deaths worldwide.
