The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has appealed to corporate Ghana to support the establishment of a Democracy Soccer School of Excellence to help nurture young football talent and promote leadership, discipline, and democratic values among the youth.
He made the appeal at an appreciation ceremony held at Parliament’s D.F. Annan Auditorium on Wednesday night, where more than 30 sponsors and partners of the second edition of the Democracy Cup were honoured for their contributions to the successful organisation of the 2025 tournament. The event attracted Members of Parliament, Ministers, Chief Executives, corporate leaders, media personalities and football enthusiasts, including former players who featured in the curtain-raiser match between the Parliament and Judiciary XIs.
In his remarks, Speaker Bagbin said the proposed Democracy Soccer School of Excellence would form part of a long-term vision to use football as a platform for civic education and nation-building. “In the long-term vision, we invite our partners and supporters to consider the proposal to support a private sector-led initiative to establish a Democracy Soccer School of Excellence. That is aimed at nurturing young talent, instilling discipline in them, and developing leadership skills that will benefit both sports and democracy in our nation,” he said.
He emphasised the value of discipline in shaping the country’s sporting heroes, adding, “Most of the talents who were nurtured into the heroes and heroines we have here were shaped by discipline, discipline.”
The Speaker also revealed that several of his counterparts across Africa have expressed interest in replicating the Democracy Cup concept in their respective countries. “While we celebrate the achievement of this year's edition, I hasten to reiterate the fact that the Democracy Cup project is not merely about the football match itself. It is a comprehensive national programme with a long-term vision. When I revealed this vision to my colleagues, Speakers of Parliament in Africa, they were so thrilled that they want us to extend it to the continental level,” he said.
The 2025 edition of the Democracy Cup, won by Accra Hearts of Oak after a 1-0 victory over Great Olympics at the University of Ghana Stadium, continues to gain international recognition. Henry Asante Twum, who moderated the event, announced that the 2026 winners will face English Premier League side Sunderland in a special international friendly next year.
He disclosed that the partnership was made possible through the collaboration between the Office of the Speaker of Parliament and Primeval Media Limited. “Through the efforts of the organisers, Primeval Media Limited, and the Office of the Right Honourable Speaker, we have secured a partnership with Sunderland Football Club in England. So, the winner of the next edition will travel to England,” he said.
Sunderland, which shares a historical connection with Ghana through former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan, presented a framed number three jersey to Speaker Bagbin, symbolising his position as the third most powerful figure in Ghana’s political hierarchy.
The Speaker also commended sponsors, including the KGL Group, for their continued support and urged more corporate bodies to partner with Parliament to sustain and expand the Democracy Cup initiative. “The Democracy Cup is here to stay,” he declared. “We must continue to build it into a continental brand that promotes unity, peace and democratic values through the power of football.”
Launched in 2024, the Democracy Cup seeks to promote peace, inclusivity and good governance through football. Its maiden champions, Asante Kotoko, represented Ghana in an international friendly against D.C. United in Washington following their 2024 triumph.
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