Chief Superintendent of Police Mrs Rosina Adwoa Donkor Gariba, Deputy Commanding Officer of Ghana’s Formed Police Unit, has donated assorted sports items to St. Martin Depories Catholic Church youth football team in Bentiu, South Sudan.
The donation, which included footballs, jerseys, sports pants, candies, detergents, and toiletries, among other essential supplies. was made to the Holy Trinity Football Team.
In a statement issued and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the exercise was to inspire and motivate the youth to chase their dreams since every child deserved access to quality education and extra-curricular activities.
Father John Gatluck, Martin Depories Catholic Church, said it was a blessing to present gifts to the Holy Trinity Football Team and prayed for peace in South Sudan and for God’s protection over the community.
Mrs Gariba said the donation was made with hearts full of kindness and generosity and was intended to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the young people.
She recalled her deployment a year ago as Deputy Commanding Officer for Ghana FPU1 Rotation 9, tasked with supporting the UN mandate in South Sudan, including civilian protection, humanitarian assistance, capacity building, promotion of community engagement, dialogue, and empowerment.
Mrs Gariba noted that during patrols and community policing activities, she assessed the operational environment to identify ways she could support the youth of South Sudan.
Her husband, COP Dr Vance Baba Gariba, a veteran peacekeeper who had served in several missions, including the African Union, was informed of her observations, and she shared her intentions with him.
She said he was encouraged by the idea and readily supported the initiative.
She explained that her husband did not hesitate to purchase the sporting items and brought them along during his visit to South Sudan for the Ghana FPU Rotation 9 medal pinning ceremony.
On behalf of her family, Mrs. Gariba said that she was proud to donate the footballs, jerseys, and sports pants to promote sports, health and teamwork among the youth and students.
She noted that “sports teach discipline, perseverance, and unity, and said the gifts would inspire the young people to chase your dreams.”
She recalled the year South Sudan’s national basketball team made history by qualifying for the Olympics. “In 2023, the Bright Stars qualified for the Olympics World Cup as the best African team, a historic achievement,” she noted.
Adding that she was convinced some of the young players present could one day represent their country on the world stage.
She said her family felt honoured to support the school and the wider community.
The Field Office Police Coordinator, Madam Jabang described the youth as “the future of our nation, the cream of our nation.”
She said that in a global country like South Sudan, during a time when many feel forgotten and faced difficult trials, the message remained that peace is possible.
“This gift is a clear demonstration that these young ones here can go a long way in actually uniting us, and I’m quite sure that this gift is going to touch you and motivate you to become stars like Sadio Mané,” she said.
Madam Jabang added that youth, parents, teachers, politicians, and the Police officers must “put hands together” to help restore peace in South Sudan.