Kwesi Nyantakyi vows to support prisoners after emotional encounter with jailed ex Wa All Stars chairman

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi has shared a deeply emotional account that has reshaped his perspective on incarceration, following a recent encounter with Alhaji Inusah, the founding chairman of Wa All Stars, who is currently serving time at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.

Speaking on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the launch of the Prisons Football Project—an initiative aimed at promoting rehabilitation through sport in Ghana’s prison system—Nyantakyi recounted the moment that inspired his new commitment to supporting inmates. The project, backed by the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG), also included donations of sporting equipment to correctional facilities.

Nyantakyi revealed that it was during a visit to Nsawam Prison that he unexpectedly reunited with Alhaji Inusah, a longtime friend and colleague from their days with Upper West Heroes Football Club. The emotional meeting left a lasting impact on him.

“From a personal position, I want to commit myself to working to better the lot of prisoners for the rest of my life. I would never have thought about prison until two weeks ago when I came here to visit my brother from Wa, Alhaji Inusah,” Nyantakyi said.

He recalled that both he and Inusah had deep roots in football, along with players like Maxwell Konadu and Kwame Ayew, who also played for Upper West Heroes. Inusah later became the first chairman of Wa All Stars when the club was founded.

Nyantakyi then revealed the tragic incident that led to Inusah’s imprisonment. According to him, Inusah had gone to his land in Wa after hearing reports of it being unlawfully sold. Armed with a pump-action gun, he was confronted by a group of about 12 people and, in an attempt to defend himself, fired a warning shot. Unfortunately, instead of aiming into the air, he fired toward the ground. The bullets ricocheted and struck two innocent bystanders more than 100 metres away—individuals who had no connection to the dispute. Both victims died, resulting in Inusah’s imprisonment.

“That’s what sent him to jail, so it could happen to anybody,” Nyantakyi said somberly.

The former FA boss’s powerful testimony has drawn attention to the human side of incarceration and highlighted the potential of sport to bring healing, hope, and rehabilitation to Ghana’s prison population.