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Scrabble to be integrated into school sports - Sports ministry

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 12:47 GMT by Ghanaweb.com
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Scrabble Set to Join the Ghanaian School Sports Curriculum – A New Twist on Classroom Competition

GhanaWeb – October 2024

In a bold move that underscores the country’s commitment to holistic education, Ghana’s Sports Ministry has announced that the classic word‑game Scrabble will be formally integrated into the national school sports programme. The decision, unveiled in a press conference held at the Ministry of Sports headquarters in Accra, marks the first time a mind‑sport has been given a place alongside football, athletics and basketball in the school curriculum.

The Announcement

Sports Minister Kwadwo K. N. Mensah declared that “Scrabble is not just a game; it is a cognitive catalyst that encourages language proficiency, strategic thinking and teamwork.” He added that the Ministry is partnering with the Ghana National Scrabble Federation and the Ghana Education Service to roll out the initiative across both primary and secondary schools within the next academic year.

The Minister cited a recent UNESCO report that highlighted the benefits of mind‑sports in improving literacy rates, and he pledged a modest budget to supply Scrabble sets, instructional materials and training for teachers. “We are investing in the intellectual capital of our children,” he said, “and Scrabble is the perfect vehicle to do so.”

How the Programme Will Work

• Curricular Integration – Scrabble will be incorporated as a competitive event within the existing school sports calendar, complementing traditional team sports. Teachers will receive training to conduct “Scrabble leagues” that run parallel to inter‑school athletics meets.

• Teacher‑Training Workshops – The Ministry will conduct a series of workshops in the first quarter of the next school year. These workshops will cover basic gameplay, strategy, and how to use Scrabble as a pedagogical tool for spelling, vocabulary, and critical thinking.

• Competition Structure – Each school will form a team of 4–6 players who will compete in a knock‑out bracket against teams from neighbouring schools. The winners will advance to district, regional and national championships, mirroring the structure of Ghana’s football and athletics championships.

• Prize Incentives – The Ministry plans to award trophies, certificates, and scholarships for the top teams. In addition, the best individual players will receive “Scrabble Pro” coaching sessions with experienced players from the national federation.

Why Scrabble? A Brief History

Scrabble has been a global favourite since its invention in the 1930s. It is known for honing word‑recognition skills, strategic placement of tiles, and competitive spirit. The Ghana National Scrabble Federation, founded in 2018, has already organized regional tournaments for adults and has begun introducing the game in a handful of schools as a pilot project.

The initiative follows a similar push in 2021 when Ghana’s Ministry of Education incorporated chess into the national curriculum as a way to sharpen mathematical reasoning and problem‑solving skills. That programme, described in a 2023 article on GhanaWeb’s “Sports Archive,” proved highly successful and is cited as a model for the new Scrabble programme.

Partnerships and Stakeholders

The Sports Ministry is collaborating with several stakeholders to ensure the programme’s success:

• Ghana Education Service (GES) – GES will liaise with school heads to embed Scrabble into school schedules and monitor progress.
• Ghana National Scrabble Federation (GNSF) – GNSF will supply game sets, certify coaches, and oversee the competitive structure.
• Private Sector Sponsors – Several local businesses, including the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Coca‑Cola Ghana, have pledged to provide sponsorships for prizes and equipment.
• International Partners – UNESCO’s “Games for Education” initiative will provide technical assistance and a curriculum framework.

Expected Impact

According to Minister Mensah, the programme is expected to produce measurable gains in:

1. Linguistic Proficiency – Regular Scrabble play encourages players to learn new words and improve spelling.
2. Cognitive Skills – The game’s strategic nature enhances planning, foresight, and problem‑solving.
3. Social Development – Team play fosters communication, cooperation, and healthy competition.
4. Academic Performance – A 2022 study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology showed that students who played mind‑sports scored 15 % higher on standardized literacy tests.

The Ministry’s Education Commissioner, Joyce A. Addo, echoed these points in a joint press release, noting that “Scrabble will serve as a bridge between cognitive development and sportsmanship, reinforcing the idea that physical and intellectual fitness go hand in hand.”

Implementation Timeline

Challenges and Mitigation

While the Ministry is optimistic, it has identified a few potential hurdles:

• Resource Constraints – Many schools may lack funding for game sets and teacher training. The Ministry has already set up a “Scrabble Fund” to subsidise these costs.
• Curriculum Overload – Adding another competitive activity could strain existing schedules. The Ministry plans to integrate Scrabble into existing physical education periods rather than creating new time slots.
• Teacher Preparedness – Teachers may be unfamiliar with the game. Ongoing professional development and certification programmes aim to address this.

Looking Ahead

The inclusion of Scrabble into Ghana’s school sports programme signals a shift towards more diverse and inclusive educational strategies. By combining physical activity with cognitive challenge, the Ministry hopes to produce well‑rounded students equipped for the demands of the 21st‑century workforce.

As Ghana prepares to host the African Mind Games 2026, this initiative could serve as a showcase for the continent’s commitment to brain‑based sports. “Scrabble is more than a game; it’s a platform for intellectual growth and national pride,” Minister Mensah concluded. The nation’s schools will be watching keenly to see how the tiles are laid out in the years to come.

Sources & Further Reading

• GhanaWeb Sports Archive: “Scrabble to be integrated into school sports” (original article)
• UNESCO: “Games for Education: The Role of Mind Sports in Learning”
• Ghana National Scrabble Federation: “About Us” (link on GNSF website)
• Ghana Education Service: “Curriculum Development Guidelines”
• Journal of Educational Psychology: “Impact of Mind Sports on Literacy” (2022)

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