A new Dutch-Ghanaian partnership is working to grow Ultimate Frisbee in Ghana—empowering youth, training coaches, and promoting inclusion in the sport.

The Inspiration

The project began when Anna traveled to Ghana and connected with the Ghana Flying Disc Federation (GFDF). She was inspired by the enthusiasm and dedication of Desmond and his team, who have been spreading disc sports throughout Ghana despite limited local experience. “Desmond and his team really have a love for disc sports and they see the added value it has for the players in Ghana. They use their knowledge and enthusiasm to get as many people as possible in contact with the sport, in Ghana and the other West African countries,” says Anna. Together, they aim to share expertise and grow Ultimate in Ghana in a sustainable way.

About the Organizations

The Ghana Flying Disc Federation (GFDF) is a non-profit sports organization dedicated to growing disc sports across Ghana. Led by President Desmond Kwame Mantey, the federation oversees regional districts and more than 200 active athletes. Their work has created a strong foundation, and this project supports their progress by adding coaching experience and structured development to help the sport grow sustainably.

The Dutch Ultimate community brings years of experience in youth development, mixed play, and technical coaching. By partnering with the GFDF, Dutch coaches aim to strengthen Ghana’s existing structure, support local leadership, and ensure the sport grows in the right way—through consistency, inclusion, and long-term sustainability. Together, both communities are building a development pathway that elevates Ghanaian athletes and coaches while creating meaningful exchange opportunities between the two countries.

Project with Purpose

Desmond Kwame Mantey, President of GFDF and Founder of the Martisans Sports and Cultural Foundation, has dedicated his career to youth development and community empowerment through disc sports. His passion for Ultimate Frisbee as an inclusive, values-driven sport led him to build school programs, train coaches, organize grassroots tournaments, and promote Spirit of the Game, teamwork, and fair play across Ghana.

"My journey with Disc Sports and Ultimate has been both fascinating and deeply fulfilling. Reflecting on the connections built, the networks formed, and the lives already impacted, I am firmly convinced that through strategic partnerships like this with Frisbee Connects, Ultimate will soon become a household name in Ghana." Desmond shares.

GFDF and Frisbee Connects are working to strengthen grassroots programs, expand youth participation, and build structured development pathways. The project emphasizes coach education, youth leadership, gender equity, and community engagement, helping players grow while living Ultimate’s core values. By combining local leadership with international expertise, it lays the foundation for long-term growth and positions Ultimate Frisbee as a tool for education, inclusion, and social impact in Ghana.


Watch the GFDF interview about Frisbee in Ghana

The Athletes

The program will focus on youth players in Accra, starting teams at four schools within a single school district. The school teams will compete in a local league, encouraging regular play and healthy competition. A core aspect of the program is gender equity: organizers aim for an equal ratio of boys and girls among players, coaches, and PE teachers. This ensures the spirit of mixed Ultimate is present from the start.

Goals & Vision

The main goals of the project are to:

- Promote participation of girls in Ultimate
- Encourage mixed-gender play and teamwork
- Foster Spirit of the Game principles
- Train youth players and PE teachers to ensure sustainability

The program aims to include an exchange component, with the hope that some Ghanaian players will travel to Europe next summer to participate in tournaments, building international connections and gaining invaluable competitive experience.

Jersey Reveal

The jerseys for the Ghanaian National team celebrate the bold and vibrant colors of the Ghanaian flag. The design allows players to represent their country proudly while feeling the excitement of wearing a jersey that is both sentimental and instantly recognizable. More than just uniforms, these jerseys are a symbol of national pride and connection to the growing Ultimate community in Ghana. BE Ultimate is proud to support these athletes with high-performance apparel that reinforces their confidence and fuels their belief in what they can achieve.

What's Next

In February 2026, Anna and Justine will travel from the Netherlands to Ghana for 2.5 weeks to run the first official camp. During this visit, they will:

- Start youth teams in four schools in Accra
- Train PE teachers to ensure long-term knowledge transfer
- Document activities through photos and videos for social media and other platforms
- Possibly create content for Ulti.TV or a podcast

Before the camp, the team organized a Ghana HAT tournament in Utrecht, generating awareness and providing visibility for the program.

How you can help

Supporters can get involved by:

- Making a donation – Any amount helps. Extra funds will support bringing Ghanaian players to the Netherlands next summer.
- Buying the Ghanaian Black Star reversible from Force Ultimate
- Following the project on Instagram: @frisbee.connects
- Spreading the word – Share the project with your community

Donate here & learn more

To be continued...

The blog will be updated after the February 2026 camp with photos, videos, and stories from the youth teams, PE teachers, and the exchange program.