We were delighted to welcome representatives from Rugby League Federation Ghana to our Betfred Super League clash with Castleford Tigers earlier this month.
It signified the last 12 months of the partnership and the publication of the first Annual Review since the appointment of Jafaru Mustapha as the Salford Red Devils Community Manager in Ghana.
The group included Remond Safi from International Rugby League, Andy Gilvary and Frank Sackey from RLFG, as well as Ghanaian internationals Reece Rance and Abeku Nelson.
They were taken onto the pitch at half-time for a special presentation and handed a signed shirt by members of the 2025 playing squad.
To read the full report and find out more about the incredible work undertaken in Ghana, please click here.
Paul Trainor, Director of Foundation and Rugby Partnerships, has said: “The initial conversation about the potential of Salford Red Devils forming a strategic partnership with Rugby League Federation Ghana took place in 2021.
“During this call, there were two things which were obvious. Firstly, the potential to develop a partnership which had significant impact in developing Rugby League and creating a legacy. Secondly, the passion of the people involved at RLFG to use Rugby League as a vehicle to inspire and engage communities.
“The catalyst for the recent growth has been the appointment of Jafaru Mustapha as the Salford Red Devils Community Manager in Ghana. Having Jafaru in place, leading the incredible team of volunteers, has accelerated the progress of the partnership.
“Having a team of people delivering programmes in communities is where Rugby League will continue to flourish and grow. At Salford Red Devils, we are hugely excited about the future of the partnership with RLFG in promoting Rugby League, together with the associated social and health benefits on the communities across Ghana.
“There is absolutely no doubt that Rugby League will be going from strength to strength in the capable hands of the team at Rugby League Federation Ghana.”
Jafaru Mustapha, Salford Red Devils Community Manager in Ghana, has added: “When I first came into contact with rugby league in 2012, enrolling on to the maiden and flagship education course in our nation, the ambition and desire to embed the game in Accra and beyond was clear.
“Since, and for over a decade, we have worked as a community and as a workforce to achieve that goal, building clubs from the ground up, education links with our stakeholders and a national performance programme any Ghanaian can take pride in.
“The Salford-Ghana relationship has not only fostered the work that has come before, but allowed us to resource the game both regionally and nationally, reaching more participants, more schools, more communities and demonstrating to our partners and stakeholders the power of the Red Devils brand.
“The position of our next generation of talent has seen awareness being replaced by ambition, an ambition to play for Salford, in the Super League.
“Our partnership is transforming rugby league in West Africa, creating opportunities, building pathways and proving that local growth starts with genuine local investment.
“We recognise the power of this long-term journey, and I invite anyone, at any time, to reach out if you’d like to find out a little more about our future as we continue to grow, and continue to become Together Stronger.”
Our incredible partnership with RLFG is powered by HANetf.
