Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has commended Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, for instituting the Democracy Cup Trophy. “This cup is not just a trophy; it is a national symbol. It is an enduring reminder of democracy’s value and our collective responsibility to safeguard it,” President Mahama remarked, acknowledging the significance of the initiative.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama made these comments on Tuesday when he received the Democracy Cup Trophy from Speaker Bagbin at the Presidency in Accra. The presentation was held ahead of the upcoming match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Accra Great Olympics, scheduled for September 5 at the University of Ghana Stadium.
The Democracy Cup was established by Speaker Bagbin in collaboration with the Ghana Football Association to celebrate 30 years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy under Ghana’s Fourth Republican Constitution, initiated in 1993. President Mahama, in his address after receiving the Trophy, noted that by linking democracy with sports, Speaker Bagbin had created an innovative platform that engages the energies of the youth, inspires citizens, and raises awareness about the centrality of democratic governance to Ghana’s peace, stability, and progress.
President Mahama emphasized that since 1992, Ghana has chosen the path of constitutional democracy, stating that “along this journey, we have encountered challenges, but we’ve also made remarkable progress.” He highlighted the framework provided by democracy for peaceful transitions of power, protection of human rights, and expanded civic freedoms, allowing citizens to shape their future.
He further elaborated that democracy is not merely about elections but about accountability and inclusion. “It is about fairness and justice. It is about creating a society where every Ghanaian can aspire and achieve regardless of their background,” he stated. President Mahama stressed the importance of strong, transparent, and independent institutions for democracy to thrive and urged Ghanaians to resist the temptations of partisanship, authoritarianism, and impunity.
The President encouraged citizens to hold leaders accountable, reject violence, value diversity, and defend the freedoms secured by previous generations. He noted that the Democracy Cup, through football, communicates that democracy, like sports, demands rules, fairness, discipline, and respect. It teaches that while competition is healthy, the ultimate goal is unity, progress, and nation-building.
In his concluding remarks, President Mahama expressed gratitude to Speaker Bagbin for the thoughtful initiative and accepted the democracy cup on behalf of the people of Ghana. He emphasized that democracy is a living process that must be protected and deepened for future generations.
Speaker Bagbin, in his remarks, reiterated that the Democracy Cup is more than just a trophy for a football match victory. It serves as a civic platform that brings Parliament closer to the people by leveraging football’s unifying and cultural power to deepen trust in democratic institutions and rekindle faith in democracy’s promise.
He highlighted the unique aspect of the 2025 edition, which includes investment in professional FIFA-certified training for Physical Education Teachers in Senior High Schools across Ghana’s 276 constituencies. This strategic intervention aims to equip teachers with the skills to identify and develop young football talents from the grassroots.
The Speaker extended a special invitation to President Mahama to witness the Democracy Cup Football Match on September 5 at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium. The event was attended by notable figures, including Mr. Kurt Okraku, President of the Ghana Football Association; Mr. Kofi Iddie Adams, Minister of Sports and Recreation; Mr. Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, and former key players of the senior national football team, the Black Stars.