By Ishmael Junourgh 
Accra: The age-old playful rivalry between the Dagaaba and Frafra communities will take centre stage on Saturday, September 5, 2026, as the two northern Ghanaian groups converge at the El-Wak Stadium in Accra for the much-anticipated 2026 Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games.
Held under the theme “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence,” the event will combine sporting competition with culture, food, music and an opportunity to strengthen bonds between the two communities.
The games are expected to attract a high-profile gathering of dignitaries, including Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin; former Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; representatives of the Presidency; chiefs and queen mothers; senior military officers; Justices of the Superior Courts; academics; and prominent sports personalities.
Football and volleyball will form part of the sporting contests, alongside other activities designed to showcase the talents, traditions and cultural heritage of the two communities.
Beyond the sporting action, patrons will be treated to traditional music and dance, as well as a rich display of northern cuisine and beverages.
But while the event is officially about friendship and peaceful coexistence, there is one question likely to dominate conversations among supporters:
Who is taking the puppy home?
The traditional trophy for the Dagaaba-Frafra contest is famously represented by a puppy, adding a unique and humorous dimension to the rivalry. The running joke is that whenever one side wins, the puppy somehow becomes difficult to trace—or is allegedly “stolen” before it can make its way home.
This year, supporters will once again be watching closely to see which side claims sporting bragging rights—and whether the much-talked-about puppy finally reaches its rightful destination.
With the competition expected to be fierce but friendly, the games promise to demonstrate how cultural identity and healthy rivalry can coexist with unity, friendship and peace.
The event begins at 8:00 a.m., with tickets priced at GH¢15 for adults and GH¢5 for children.
So, the big question remains:Dagaaba or Frafra? Who will dominate the games—and who will take the puppy home?
Pascal Gyireh