WHO WE ARE
Play and Learn Foundation (PAL) is a non-profit organization set up to bring together boys and girls who live in underserved communities but have the desire to pursue academic and professional excellence, a drive to lead and a passion for play.
By targeting underserved communities, PAL seeks to provide an opportunity where it is most needed.
End Goal
In the next 10 years:
- PAL strives to establish community centers in towns and villages across all the regions in Ghana.
- PAL envisions setting up a school focused on talent development and management ranging from athletics, artistry, career coaching and mentoring.
- PAL endeavors to develop a sports for development blueprint with academies in every region in Ghana.
- PAL aims to undertake various revenue generating social enterprise project.
We provide opportunity where it is needed the most
MISSION STATEMENT
Play and Learn hopes to help eradicate poverty through sports, academic education, and mentorship in not only Ghana but Africa at large.
VISION STATEMENT
Play and Learn seeks to empower the youth of Ghana through combining athletics, academics and professional mentorship to develop skills needed to become the future leaders of our world



OUR STORY
As a change maker and dedicated advocate for local youth, Nana Kwasi Ohene established Play and Learn Foundation in August 2013 at Ajax Park, University of Ghana. The Foundation started as a way to provide children from the surrounding areas, Okponglo, Shiashie, Bawlashie, and Madina with the opportunity to play and grow through both physical and educational materials. It all began with the children gathering around to watch university students training drills and matches in awe with the desire to play. Mr. Ohene was inspired by their enthusiasm and made it his mission to create a safe space where the local youth could engage in sports and education.
What started with football soon expanded to include other programs and lessons such as learning the English language, reading and comprehension, and mathematics. Soft skills like teamwork, patience, discipline, and problem solving strategies are also nurtured through the program. With the help of Coach Adoney Stephen and international and Ghanaian volunteers, the number of participants steadily grew from an average of ten kids to twenty active kids per weekly session, with the current number continuing to increase. Now, each session involves the development of reading, creative writing, and critical analysis skills through organized lessons in a fun environment.
Despite the challenges faced by some of the children who come from deprived homes, Play and Learn Foundation has become a vision for all regardless of where they come from. For many of these children, coming to Ajax Park to play football is the highlight of their day. It helps them leave behind their worries and stress brought on by difficulties in their lives. Through the Foundation’s programs, they not only have the opportunity to play and have fun, but also to learn and develop important life skills. Play and Learn Foundation is truly making a positive impact on the local community and beyond.
Track Record ( 2015 to date)

Volunteers
- Over 1000 volunteers from 2015 to date.
- 100 Ambassadors present in Sweden, Finland, USA, England, Canada and Norway.

football
- Over 150 beneficiaries of our football for soft skills development annually.
- Over 800 football boots and jerseys distributed across okponglo and La Bawaleshie in 7 years.

Education
- Over 500 beneficiaries from our community tutoring and mobile library program annually.
- 20 students benefit from scholarships every academic year.
4 PAL students have been admitted to the University of Ghana (2022/23). - Over 100 books donated to the La Bawaleshie Presby School in 2019.

Community Outreaches
- Registered 250 children under the NHIS program in 2019.
- Raised $5000 to support and sustain 60 families in Okponglo during the Covid-19 Lockdown.
- Over 500 children benefit from the Kidmas Party annually with new gifts From 2017 till date.
- Fed over 2,500 people (children and adults) for the past 4 years during our annual Street love project.
- Over 1000 students have benefited from our Mental Health awareness and education programs from 2017 till date.
- General health and eye screening for over 400 children in Okponglo in December 2018.
Programs and Activities
Education
Community Tutoring.
Mobile Library. PAL Builders Tech Program.Artistry
Heart Art Program.
Follow My Lead Dance Program. Sankofa Poetry Project.Athletics and Talent Development
Football for Soft and Life Skills Development.
Youth Empowerment
Yaa Asantewaa Girl Empowerment Project.
Teen Talk Project.Mentorship and Job Shadowing
Learning on the Go Job Shadowing Project.
Community Outreach
Street Love Project.
NHIS registration project. Merry Kidmas Program. Mental Health awareness walks and talks.What PAL needs.
- FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PAL PROJECTS.
- CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES PAL RUNS.
- ADVISORY AND CAPACITY SUPPORT AND BUILDING SERVICES TO HELP MANAGEMENT TEAM ACHIEVE STATED GOALS.