Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has received the Democracy Cup at the Jubilee House on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.
The trophy was presented to the Vice President by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, as part of activities surrounding the third edition of the Democracy Cup.
The initiative seeks to promote responsible citizenship, national unity and Ghana’s democratic values while highlighting the shared responsibility of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary in safeguarding and strengthening the country’s democracy.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Professor Opoku-Agyemang said football and democracy shared important principles, including participation, adherence to rules, fairness and respect for institutions.
She noted that although citizens may support different political parties and hold divergent views, the national interest should remain greater than individual political affiliations.
“While we may support different sides and disagree passionately, the game is ultimately bigger than any one side,” she said.
The Vice President said Ghana had earned international recognition for its commitment to constitutional governance, but cautioned that the country’s democratic gains should not be taken for granted.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and creating an environment where citizens could participate in national discourse and debate ideas without resorting to violence.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang congratulated Parliament for sustaining the Democracy Cup into its third edition and commended the institutions and stakeholders whose contributions have helped to make the initiative possible.
The Democracy Cup has become an avenue for using football to promote democratic values, national cohesion and peaceful political participation among Ghanaians.
