Football brings together security services in Legon gala
The spirit of unity, teamwork and national service took centre stage at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Legon last Friday as the nation’s security agencies set aside their operational duties for a football fun gala.
The event, aimed at strengthening inter-service relations and fostering camaraderie, brought together male and female football teams from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division and the Ghana Immigration Service.
The 2026 Security Services Fun Football Gala was organised by the Ghana Armed Forces in collaboration with the other security services on the theme: “Working Together Through Sports”.
The one-day sporting event attracted hundreds of security personnel, sports enthusiasts and invited guests, including the Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General William Agyapong, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
Throughout the day, players showcased impressive football skills, determination and sportsmanship as they competed in a series of friendly matches.
However, beyond the results on the pitch, organisers emphasised that the primary objective was to deepen cooperation and mutual understanding among personnel who work together daily to safeguard Ghana’s peace, security and territorial integrity.
Officials noted that security agencies increasingly faced complex challenges that required enhanced collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated responses.
Events such as the football gala provided a relaxed environment for officers and men to interact outside their regular operational duties, helping to build trust and professional relationships.
The participation of both male and female teams also highlights the growing role of women in the nation’s security architecture and the commitment of the services to promoting gender inclusion in sports and professional development.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, senior officers praised the initiative and described sports as a powerful tool for national cohesion and institutional integration. They stressed that football possessed a unique ability to break barriers, strengthen friendships and inspire collective purpose.
The University of Ghana Sports Stadium provided a fitting venue for the gathering, with personnel from the various services displaying enthusiasm and solidarity throughout the competition. Spectators were treated to entertaining encounters marked by discipline, fair play and mutual respect.
At the end of the keenly contested competition, the Ghana Immigration Service emerged as the overall winners after beating the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority 1–0 in the final.
The Ghana Armed Forces and the participating security agencies have over the years collaborated on numerous national assignments, including internal security operations, disaster response, border protection, crime prevention and peacekeeping missions.
Organisers believe the football gala will further strengthen those partnerships and contribute to a more coordinated national security framework.
Beyond the football matches, participants engaged in networking sessions and social interactions aimed at promoting understanding among officers from the different services. Many expressed optimism that the initiative would become a regular feature on the security services' calendar.
