The SEED Elite Camp 2024, held at the University of Ghana, successfully concluded last Sunday, leaving a significant impact on 56 young athletes and 13 academies. Led by SEED Academy Ghana, the event seamlessly integrated basketball training with leadership development and life-skills education, aiming to cultivate the next generation of leaders.
The camp featured renowned coaches, including former NBA player and Basketball Africa League (BAL) Ambassador Pops Mensah-Bonsu, WNBA legend Angel McCoughtry, and Angolan BAL stars Carlos Morais and Jone Pedro, who shared their valuable expertise and motivated the participants.
Focusing on more than just basketball, the camp emphasized holistic development. Pops Mensah-Bonsu highlighted the importance of leadership by offering leadership awards rather than MVP trophies, reinforcing the idea of developing leaders on and off the court. Additionally, participants visited the BAL Celebrity Games, where they were exposed to various career opportunities in basketball. A highlight of the camp was the Community Day of Play, where campers joined 100 local youth in activities that embodied the Adinkra symbol Sankofa—“It’s all about reaching back and giving back.”
The camp also featured a leadership summit, where industry professionals discussed diverse career pathways within basketball. Looking to the future, Mensah-Bonsu shared his ambitious vision for SEED Academy Ghana, which includes quarterly camps, an academy-wide league, and infrastructure development to provide equal opportunities for young athletes. His goal for the next 10 years is for SEED Academy to become the largest academy globally, shaping a generation of leaders and changing the global perception of Ghana.
As part of the weekend’s impactful events, the inaugural SEED Sports Leadership Summit was held on December 28, where key figures, including BAL Vice President John Manyo-Plange, joined Mensah-Bonsu to discuss strategies for advancing basketball development in Ghana. The camp’s commitment to community service was further emphasized through the Community Day of Play, where participants engaged in sports activities alongside local youth.
Since its founding in 2018, SEED Academy Ghana has been a driving force for social change, combining sports and education to empower young people. Through initiatives like the Elite Camp and Community Day of Play, SEED Academy continues to inspire Ghana’s youth, equipping them with the tools to succeed on and off the court. With plans for expansion and a continued focus on holistic development, SEED Academy Ghana is poised to redefine basketball and leadership training in Ghana and beyond.
By: Amponsah Ebenezer (Osiahene)
