36 years in prison for a mistake at 17 - The forgotten life of a once-promising goalkeeper Akwasi Alhassan

"Pray for me," says Akwasi Alhassan, handing over a photograph of himself.

To his left is the late Christian Atsu. Atsu was a man who touched lives quietly. The photo was from one of his visits to Nsawam Medium Security Prison.

Inmates officiated matches during this visit. Alhassan recalled his early years as a goalkeeper. They have coaches, referees, and commentators—all inmates. These brief matches are cherished moments for them.

I had never visited before but recognized some inmates' faces. Before Alhassan arrived, others shouted my name from afar. One later emailed me to introduce himself.

Alhassan's gesture surprised me as I reached out for a handshake.

"I know you," he said, leaning in for a hug. He wore a blue shirt with a star on the upper left chest.

This star symbolizes rank earned after years of incarceration, according to a prison officer. Alhassan wears this star of pain and sorrow in this disheveled environment.

Akwasi Alhassan is not known by about 57% of Ghana’s population.

"This place has been my home for 36 years," he says.

Born in Kwesimintsim near Takoradi, he had dreams of football stardom. He wanted to represent Ghana on big stages but has spent decades behind bars.

Alhassan has been imprisoned longer than half of Ghana's age—Ghana turned 68 in March.

This explains why many Ghanaians may not know him. While there’s no guarantee he would have become famous, he could have been an asset to Ghana.

"Alhassan was an excellent goalkeeper," says former Black Stars striker Augustine Ahinful.

"There was no better goalkeeper at that time," adds Yaw Preko, now a coach.

Their conversation took place near condemned prisoners’ tents—a memory center for what could have been.

Many former Black Stars players cheered loudly for him during their visit. Samuel Osei Kuffour received the loudest cheers and shared words of encouragement with inmates.

"We are here to support you," Kuffour said emotionally while meeting familiar faces in prison.

Alhassan watched quietly, perhaps thinking about what could have been if his life hadn’t changed due to teenage emotions.

He approached Ahinful and me to hand over the photograph with watery eyes—tears he's shed for over three decades.

When he spoke again, his voice trembled heavily with emotion.

"I had a fight with a friend in 1989," he recalled sadly. "I was part of the first under-17 team being formed."

His voice shook as tears filled his eyes again; he reached for his towel.

"In that fight, I used a key on him," he explained softly. "He died at the hospital."

He spent four years on remand before being sentenced in 1993.

"This has been my home for 36 years," he said again earnestly. "Please help me."

For three decades, Nsawam Prison has been all he's known—since childhood until now.

"I don’t even know how my house looks anymore," he admitted sadly.

Augustine Ahinful shook his head in disbelief at Alhassan's fate.

"Alhassan hasn’t been fortunate,” Ahinful remarked sadly.

Recently, there were rumors about presidential pardons for inmates; Alhassan's name topped that list.

However, that letter was withdrawn without explanation; Alhassan remains imprisoned.

Ahinful is right: "To be here for 36 years is not easy."

Indeed it isn’t easy when precious lives are forgotten behind bars.

"Some are here due to minor mistakes we all could make,” said Deputy Director Patrick Thomas Seidu.

He shared stories about other inmates facing harsh sentences due to unfortunate circumstances or misunderstandings.

The boy serving 23 years was mistaken for someone else during an incident involving thieves.

These stories reveal broken lives and buried dreams under regret—a mistake made as children can haunt them forever.

Alhassan isn't defined by crime; he's defined by one grave mistake made at just 17 years old.

He never got the chance to grow into the man he could have become—his adult life spent confined within walls.

Yet despite everything, he remains kind and hopeful: "Pray for me."

I plan to keep this photo close and ask my Imam and congregation to pray every Friday—for him and others like him who need it desperately.

His pain isn’t about excuses; it's genuine regret from deep reflection over many years lost behind bars.

How can society hold someone captive for so long due to youthful mistakes? Yes, we should expect accountability—but also compassion and second chances should exist too!

Patrick Seidu asked poignantly: “Don’t we all deserve another chance?” Many inmates do need it desperately after making mistakes they regret deeply.


I saw other talented footballers among them too—one even received money from Yussif Chibsah after winning man-of-the-match honors!

Another inmate stood out as best player during their game despite being caged like Alhassan.


Sammy Kuffour proudly mentioned one young player from his hometown—better than many seen on TV today.


These talents remain trapped just like Alhassan—36 long years behind bars because of one teenage fight!