The Dagaaba have reclaimed bragging rights over their traditional rivals, the Frafra, after edging them 5-4 in the 29th edition of the Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday.
The annual event, which blends sporting rivalry with cultural celebration and peaceful coexistence, was held under the theme “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence” .
The Legend of the Puppy Prize
At the heart of the rivalry lies the traditional “puppy prize,” a trophy unlike any other in Ghanaian sport. The puppy is not merely a symbol of victory but carries deep historical significance for the two ethnic groups, representing how a bitter disagreement between two brothers ultimately became a source of unity and friendship .
According to oral history, the Dagaaba and Frafra were once represented by two brothers who lived together in harmony until famine struck their community. Accompanied by their pet dog, the brothers embarked on a long journey in search of food. After travelling far without success, they were left with no choice but to kill the dog to survive .
However, disagreement arose over how the meat should be prepared — one brother wanted it boiled, the other preferred it roasted. They decided to divide the meat equally, but during the sharing, the dog’s head went missing. Each brother accused the other of stealing it, and the dispute eventually led to their separation, with one moving west and the other east .
Years later, the brothers met again and began teasing each other about who had stolen the dog’s head. What had once been a source of division gradually became a source of laughter, friendship and reconciliation. Their descendants became playmates, calling each other “Baazu” (dog head), and the painful memory was transformed into a symbol of their enduring relationship .
Today, the winning side takes custody of a live puppy and is expected to rear it until the next edition of the Games, when it is brought back as cooked meat — a delicacy to be shared as part of the celebration .
A Reversal of Fortunes
This year’s results represented a dramatic reversal from 2025, when the Frafra dominated the sporting contests, including both volleyball matches and women’s football, while the men’s football ended 1-1 .
The Dagaaba claimed victory in the women’s lime-and-spoon race, men’s and women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout. The Frafra, however, took the men’s lime-and-spoon race, men’s and women’s sack races and women’s football, while the men’s football contest ended in a draw .
The event was sponsored by telecommunications giant MTN for the 10th consecutive edition.
A Bond Beyond Sport
The 29th edition also served as the official launch of activities towards the 30th anniversary of an event that has taken place since 1996 between indigenes of the two tribes domiciled in the Accra and Tema Metropolis .
Guest of Honour Dr Matilda Akataba Aberese-Ako of the University of Health and Allied Sciences urged the two groups to jealously protect their enviable relationship and pass its values to the younger generation. She described the Dagaaba as intelligent and hardworking and the Frafra as equally industrious, stressing that their complementary qualities could contribute to the development of communities where the two groups live. She also called for young people to be integrated into the organisation of the Games to ensure continuity .
Chairman of the Games, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, Chief of the Naval Staff, emphasised that the event was bigger than sporting competition.
“The ultimate trophy is not simply what we take home. The ultimate trophy is the friendship, peace and understanding that we build through this gathering,” he said .
He also urged the youth to use sport to build friendships, technology to promote peace and their education and skills to develop their communities.
Distinguished Gathering
The event attracted a distinguished gathering, including Professor Adams Bodomo of the University of Vienna, Professor Methodius Tuuli, Professor Samuel Atintono, Principal of Accra College of Education, Dr Anthony Baabereyir, Principal of Fosu College of Education, Brigadier General Dr Richard Naab, Commodore Raymond Kyaano, Mr Jacob Adongo Atule, Deputy CEO of the National Youth Authority, Mr Nicholas Dery, National Coordinator of the National Apprentice Programme, Dr Sebastian Sandaare, MP for Daffiama-Busi-Issah, Dr Stephen Sondem of KNUST and Mr Stephen Bemile, Vice President of Jayee University College .
A Model for National Unity
The Dagaaba and Frafra are not only neighbours in Ghana’s Upper West and Upper East regions but also bound by history and ancestry. Oral tradition traces their roots to present-day Burkina Faso, from where their ancestors migrated centuries ago to settle on adjoining lands. Over time, they have intermarried, traded, and stood together in times of conflict .
Though political boundaries placed them in different administrative regions, their cultural bond has remained strong. Their languages — Dagaare and Gurune — share similarities, while their festivals, rituals, and communal practices reflect a kinship that continues to bind them .
The Games, which began as a friendly football match at the Ghana Prisons Service Training School in Accra, have evolved into a multi-faceted festival of sports and culture. The founding fathers include the late Inspector General of Police Peter Nanfuri, Mr Benson Tongo Baba, a former MP for Talensi Constituency, and Mr Richard Kuuire, a former Director-General of Ghana Prisons Service and current MP for Nandom Constituency .
The Dagaaba victory therefore delivered the desired sporting reward, but as both speakers emphasised, the enduring prize remains the friendship and unity that have sustained the Games for nearly three decades.
