Ghana Youth Leader Uses Table Tennis to Build Community

When Gifty Appiah organized a table tennis tournament in Accra, she wasn't just celebrating a sport. She was creating a bridge to better futures for young people across Ghana's underserved neighborhoods.

Appiah, founder of RightSet Ghana and a 2023 to 2026 International Olympic Committee Young Leader, led three days of activities centered on health and well-being in April. The celebration culminated in a community tournament at The Big House Table Tennis Club in New Ashongman, drawing players from five different communities including Kasoa, Nungua, Chorkor, and Madina.

Six community clubs competed, with Blue Rose Table Tennis Club of Buduburam taking home the cadet category title. But the scoreboard told only part of the story.

For Appiah and her team at RightSet Ghana, the tournament was equally about building confidence, creating social connections, and supporting mental health as it was about athletic competition. The nonprofit focuses on creating educational and developmental opportunities for young people who might otherwise lack access to structured activities and mentorship.

The event gained extra significance through its timing. The 2026 celebration marks the centenary of table tennis as an organized sport, giving the local initiative a connection to a global moment.

Appiah worked alongside Project Manager Samira Mensah to coordinate the event, securing partnerships with the International Table Tennis Federation Foundation and SpinSight ESN Digital. Her role as an IOC Young Leader, a program that supports exceptional young people using sport to generate positive community outcomes, helped bring resources and visibility to the celebration.

The Ripple Effect

What started as a table tennis day became something larger: a demonstration of how grassroots sports programs can reach young people where they are. The tournament brought together participants from different neighborhoods, creating new connections across communities that might not otherwise interact.

The event also showcased a model for youth development that other organizations can replicate. By combining competitive sport with explicit focus on mental health and social cohesion, RightSet Ghana showed how athletic programs can serve multiple developmental goals simultaneously.

For the young players who participated, the tournament offered more than trophies. It provided structured activity, adult mentorship, peer connections, and the experience of being part of something larger than their immediate community.

The success of this year's celebration positions RightSet Ghana to expand its reach as the organization continues its mission of building young lives through sport.