In a groundbreaking initiative, nineteen female inmates and four correctional officers at Monrovia Central Prison have earned their CAF D License coaching certificates, marking the first time a Confederation of African Football (CAF)-accredited coaching course has been conducted inside Liberia’s correctional system.
The eight-day training program, organized by the Liberia Football Association (LFA) in partnership with CAF, provided participants with foundational coaching skills, team management techniques, and youth development principles. The course, led by experienced instructors Selam Kedebe and Robert Lartey, not only equipped the women with valuable football knowledge but also offered a pathway to rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
At the closing ceremony, LFA Third Vice President and CAF Women’s Football Committee member Mrs. Jodie M. Reid-Seton commended the graduates for their dedication.
“Football transcends the pitch. It empowers, unites, and creates hope,” she said. “Today, you have gained more than a coaching license, you have gained skills that can change lives, including your own. Use this knowledge beyond these walls to inspire others.”
LFA Second Vice President Saye-Taayor Adolphus Dolo highlighted the program’s success as a step toward broader prison reform through sports. “This initiative is about empowerment and second chances,” he said, announcing plans to expand the program to other correctional facilities across Liberia.
A New Beginning Behind Bars
Human rights advocate Adama K. Dempster, who also spoke at the ceremony, urged the graduates to embrace their roles as change-makers. “Prison should not be an end, but a new beginning,” he said. “With this certification, you have the power to influence young athletes and contribute positively to society upon your release.”
For many of the inmates, the program was more than just a training course, it was a lifeline. One participant, who asked to remain anonymous, shared her excitement: “This certificate gives me hope. When I leave here, I want to coach young girls and show them that no matter your past, you can still build a better future.”
Breaking Barriers Through Sport
The CAF D License is an entry-level coaching qualification that opens doors to professional football opportunities. By bringing this program into the prison system, the LFA and CAF aim to reduce recidivism by providing inmates with marketable skills and a sense of purpose.
As the graduates proudly held up their certificates, the atmosphere was one of triumph and optimism. The initiative not only sets a precedent for sports-based rehabilitation in Liberia but also sends a powerful message: even behind bars, transformation is possible.
With plans to extend the program nationwide, football may soon become a key player in Liberia’s efforts to reform its correctional system—one coaching license at a time.
