私たちについて

‘Agbogbloshie’, a slum in Ghana known as one of the world’s largest electronic waste dumps. This area is home to vast quantities of electronic equipment discarded by developed nations, and is inhabited by people who earn a living by burning it.

When artist Shingo Nagasaka first visited the area in 2017, he met people who were said to be dying of cancer in their thirties after inhaling vast quantities of toxic fumes. Determined to convey this harsh reality of capitalism to the developed world, he resolved to ensure that ‘slums are eradicated’.

Since then, Nagasaka has been creating artworks from waste; using the proceeds from their sale, he has established local businesses such as recycling plants, agricultural ventures and electric vehicle projects, thereby creating sustainable employment opportunities. He is working towards the goal of providing employment for 10,000 people by 2030.

When MAGO first visited Agbogbloshie, he was told that ‘even if you’re born into a poor family, if you become a footballer, you have the potential to become a millionaire’. In Ghana, football is deeply loved by everyone from children to adults, and in Agbogbloshie too, there were children chasing after the ball.

However, due to the impact of a change in government and the arrival of migrant workers from the north who have settled in Agbogbloshi, the number of football pitches—which used to be scattered throughout the area—has now been reduced to just two. The residents share these remaining pitches, taking turns to enjoy football with their respective teams and communities.

In order to change this situation, I held discussions with Mr Thomas, the former chief, in 2024, and we decided to launch ‘MAGO OLD FADAMA STARS FC’, a professional football team based in Agbogbloshie.

‘MAGO OLD FADAMA STARS FC’ takes its name from a project spearheaded by the artist Shingo Nagasaka (MAGO). The name combines ‘OLD FADAMA’—an alternative name for Agbogbloshie, the slum in Accra, Ghana, where the club is based—with the hope of creating ‘STARS’ that will rise from the slums to shine on the world stage.

Old Fadama, home to MAGO OLD FADAMA STARS FC, is a slum in Accra, Ghana, where mountains of electronic waste lie scattered. Here, many young people make a living by collecting and selling metals such as iron and copper. Some of the team’s players also spend their days collecting scrap metal at scrap yards.

They earn a living during the day through jobs such as civil engineering, construction site work and motorbike taxi services, whilst supporting their families. Even so, once their work is done, they gather at the pitch to practise football.

Players who are unemployed are employed by the local subsidiary, MAGO MOTORS GHANA, and spend their days carrying out clean-up activities within Agbogbloshie and on nearby beaches.

・Win the Ghana Premier League in 2030

・Become a team supported by the local community

・Produce players from the slums who can compete on the world stage