Stories and facts
The Ghana Rugby Association, officially known as the Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), has emerged as a major player in the African rugby landscape since its establishment in 2003.
As the governing body for rugby union in Ghana, the GRFU has achieved remarkable milestones, particularly under the presidency of Herbert Mensah, who assumed office on June 5, 2014.
Herbert Mensah's Vision and Leadership
Before becoming GRFU president, Herbert Mensah joined the executive of the Greater Accra Rugby Association (GARA) in May 2014, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure development to foster youth engagement and grow rugby in Ghana.
Upon taking office, Mensah conducted a comprehensive assessment of the state of rugby in Ghana and sought guidance from World Rugby and Rugby Africa officials in Dublin.
One of Mensah’s first major initiatives was the creation of the "Ghana Rugby Blueprint," presented during a stakeholders’ forum in Accra on August 29, 2014.
This strategic plan guided efforts to strengthen the sport, including organizing training for coaches and referees. Notably, South African coach David Dobela conducted Level 1 and Level 2 training sessions, a historic milestone for Ghana Rugby.
Professionalizing Rugby in Ghana
A critical step for Ghana Rugby's growth was the establishment of a professionally run Ghana Rugby Club Championship (GRCC), addressing World Rugby's requirement for full membership. Mensah mobilized resources to organize the championship, ensuring participation from at least ten clubs.
Funding, however, remained a significant challenge. Mensah initiated fundraising activities, including raffles and corporate sponsorships from organizations like Vodafone Ghana, Zen Petroleum, and Interplast Ghana. His collaboration with Vodafone Ghana extended to a management motivational event based on rugby's core values.
Achievements on the Field
Under Mensah’s leadership, Ghana Rugby achieved several notable successes:
2016 Africa Rugby "Africa Cup West" Tournament: The Ghana national men’s sevens team, nicknamed the Ghana Eagles, secured the bronze cup in Lome, Togo.
2017 Rugby Africa Regional Challenge: Ghana hosted and won the West 1 division tournament, defeating Benin (46-5) and Togo (10-0).
Full Membership in World Rugby: On May 10, 2017, the GRFU became a full member of World Rugby, joining 104 other full members globally.
Building the Future of Rugby in Ghana
In addition to on-field accomplishments, the GRFU adopted a new constitution in 2017, reorganizing its board and membership structure.
The union comprises the Greater Accra Rugby Association (GARA) and CentWest Rugby Association, with affiliated clubs such as Conquerors SC, Cosmos Buffaloes RFC, and Griffons RFC.
The GRFU also expanded its focus to youth and women’s rugby, introducing age-grade national teams and fostering a burgeoning women’s rugby program.
Challenges and Advocacy
Mensah has been an outspoken advocate for minority sports, frequently challenging the government to fulfill its promises of support for rugby and other less-prominent sports.
His leadership has been pivotal in positioning rugby as a competitive sport in Ghana despite limited resources.
Looking Ahead
With Ghana's promotion to the Rugby Africa Bronze Cup in 2018 and continued participation in regional and continental tournaments, the future of rugby in Ghana looks bright.
The GRFU, under Mensah’s presidency, remains committed to building a robust rugby ecosystem that nurtures talent and elevates the sport’s profile in the country.
As Ghana Rugby continues to grow, the union’s success story exemplifies the power of strategic vision, grassroots development, and collaboration with global rugby bodies.
