Alban Sumana Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has reaffirmed his commitment to making the Democracy Cup a permanent fixture following the successful debut of the competition.
The inaugural Democracy Cup, held at the Accra Sports Stadium, featured a match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, with Kotoko emerging as the winner with a 2-1 scoreline.
During a recent meeting with Primeval Media, the organizers of the event, and representatives from Asante Kotoko, Mr. Bagbin discussed the significance of the match, which drew attention from key figures in Ghanaian football and democratic circles.
Mr. Bagbin emphasized that football, a passion that unites the nation, offers a powerful platform for promoting democratic values in Ghana. He highlighted the example of the UK, where football has significantly contributed to national development and global branding.
“Football is deeply ingrained in our national identity, and that’s why it’s crucial that we institutionalize this competition to support and celebrate Ghana’s democracy,” Mr. Bagbin said. “We can learn from the UK’s success and leverage football to advance our democracy and stimulate economic growth.”
He also revealed plans to make the Democracy Cup an annual event, with the possibility of rotating the venue across different regions of the country. “We aim to expand the reach of the competition to various parts of Ghana, using it as a platform to highlight and celebrate our democratic achievements,” he added.
Lawrence Opare-Otoo, CEO of Primeval Media, thanked Parliament for their support and acknowledged the challenges in organizing the event, but expressed satisfaction with its successful execution. He stressed the importance of safeguarding and embracing the Democracy Cup as a valued tradition.
The Democracy Cup was part of the celebrations marking 30 years of Ghana’s parliamentary democracy and was held on July 17, featuring Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.