Inmates from the Senior Correctional Centre in Accra, Ghana prepare to participate in the 3rd Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners. The event, scheduled for October 11-13, 2023, is a part of the Chess for Freedom Program, launched two years ago to promote chess as a tool for education and social inclusion in prisons worldwide.

David Acheampong, founder of the Mentors Chess Academy, has been coaching some talented junior chess enthusiasts within the correctional facility, igniting their passion for the game. The boys will be representing Ghana in the youth section of the competition.

Some months ago, David Acheampong provided chess sets donated by the Gifts of Chess, a US charity dedicated to promoting chess as an educational and rehabilitative tool, to the prison. These sets have become instrumental in the progress and empowerment of the inmates.

Plans are also underway to begin the chess program at the Junior Girls Correctional Centre, extending the reach of this transformative endeavor.

According to the prison authorities, participating in this championship is not just about competition; it’s about showcasing the resilience and potential of Ghana’s inmates on a global stage. Chess has become a source of pride, purpose, and rehabilitation for young inmates. Chess teaches them to be patient, think before they act, and help them to realize the consequences of their actions.

​​​​​​​Tournament regulations 

More info about the program can be found here: chessforfreedom.fide.com