"A friend told me I wasn't going to give birth because of my chosen career path, but it isn't true. I have my baby, and I'm back to training, and I haven't lost anything. That perception is wrong,"
Ramatu Quaye, 25, Boxer.
"Before I decided to play golf, I often hear people say playing this sport is expensive and it's for old men. People don't want to try to know if it's true or false. I have found out that this is not the case. It's a game that shapes you as an individual. I love the game, and that's why I'm still here. It's my determination that has kept me this far. Don't base your interest on people's perceptions. If you think you like it, just come give it a try. Let your vision matter and forget everyone else."
Belinda Seyram, 27, Golfer.
"They say playing sport as a woman doesn't pay, but I don't give my mind to them because I know what I want, and that doesn't discourage me."
Doreen Tetteh, 22, Footballer.
"I have a passion for sports, which has improved my thinking ability, "she said. Her message to young girls is, "don't let anyone sit on your interest. Just make up your mind, and you can do all things".
Prospera Nantuo, 17, Badminton Player.
"People should accept passionate sportswomen and support them rather than underestimating them or talking about their body and how masculine they are. Keep going, focus and never mind people who speak about your body. Be you and push forward to whatever you are doing."
Claudia Amaadi, 27, Rock Climber.
"Your body will be hard. How can a lady be doing this? I will be masculine. But I don't care about what they say. All I know is I'm doing my lifting, and it's my body."
Winnifred Ntumi, 18, Weightlifter.
"People are often surprised I own a football club. But it's a women's football club; who else is supposed to run it if not a woman? We have tried to get people to sponsor us, but have been unsuccessful. I don't think because I'm a woman, but it's because it's a women's team. The mere fact that it's a women's football makes people think it's a joke, a hobby, or a fun time a few girls are trying to have. Nobody respects women's football, especially in Ghana. It's difficult getting sponsorship, but we will not stop trying to get it because I'm sure there are people out there who want to help, so we won't stop until we find them."
Cleopatra Nsiah, 36, Women's Football Club Owner.
"A stranger once asked me if I couldn't get any sporting activity to be part of rather than boxing because I was too beautiful for that. When I started training as a boxer, it wasn't easy to tell my parents. I was scared my dad would stop me from boxing, but I convinced him, and he gave me the go-ahead. I'm feminine outside the ring, but I'm sporty and aggressive in the ring".
Fairuza Osman, 21, Boxer.
“Because my siblings focus so much on academics, my dad has been saying I’m useless and still says that all the time. My response to him has always been 'watch out for me', and at the right time, everything will be perfect. When you give a person the freedom to do what he/she does best, I think that person will excel. Everybody should be given the opportunity to explore."
Belinda Ayeley 25, Rugby Player.
“Most guys say to me; I shouldn’t do sports. they think I should look sexy in an office, but I ignore them because my parents support me and that’s enough. You may encounter people who will always criticise you but just believe in yourself because playing sports will boost your self-confidence”.
Bello Masuratu 26, Basketball Player.
