Nsawam Prison Inmates Make History With Continental Chess Championship Titles
The Ghana Prisons Service has announced a remarkable international achievement, with inmates from two of its facilities claiming top honours at a continental chess tournament that drew participants from 18 African nations.
Inmates from the Nsawam Female Prison clinched first place in the women’s division of the “Chess for Freedom” continental competition, defeating teams from Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya, and Malawi during a live international tournament held on May 12, 2026.
Their victory earns them the right to represent Africa at the Intercontinental Live Chess Competition scheduled for October 2026.
In the men’s division, inmates from the Nsawam Medium Security Prison made their debut in the category and put in a sterling performance across seven matches against competitors from across the continent, finishing in second place and securing qualification to the upcoming World Prison Chess Championship.
Ghana’s dominance extended to the youth category as well, where inmates from the Senior Correctional Centre defended their title by finishing both first and second.
The achievements are credited in large part to the work of Mentors Chess Academy, which introduced chess into Ghana’s correctional facilities as a rehabilitation tool, using the game to foster discipline, critical thinking, and the social skills needed for reintegration into society.
Regular coaching and training sessions were held with inmates in the lead-up to the competition.
The Ghana Prisons Service described the results as a powerful demonstration that correctional institutions can serve as genuine platforms for nurturing talent and enabling personal transformation, extending its gratitude to Mentors Chess Academy for its continued commitment to the programme.
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