The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have thrown their weight behind the 2025 Democracy Cup, describing the annual football initiative as a powerful tool for peacebuilding and national cohesion.
At a ceremony in Accra on Wednesday, August 27, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Clerk to Parliament, presented the Democracy Cup trophy to the military leadership as part of a nationwide ceremonial tour ahead of this year’s match. Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, who received the trophy on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, lauded the competition for its unifying power.
“As neutral actors in Ghana’s democratic journey, we see this initiative as a bridge of unity. Football has always brought people together, even in times of conflict. This Democracy Cup can serve as a reconciliatory tool and help reduce tensions, especially in parts of our country that have experienced ethnic strain,” Rear Admiral Bessing said.
The Clerk to Parliament underscored that the Democracy Cup, launched in 2024, had earned a place on Ghana’s national calendar with endorsements from the President, the Speaker of Parliament, and the Chief Justice.
“It is more than a football match—it is a civic education campaign, a symbol of unity of purpose, and a celebration of the democratic values that hold us together as one nation,” Mr. Djietror explained.
This year’s edition will be staged on September 5 at the University of Ghana Stadium, where Accra Hearts of Oak and Accra Great Olympics will battle for supremacy. In the build-up, the trophy will be presented to key state institutions including the Presidency, the Chief Justice, the Electoral Commission, and the Inspector-General of Police.
Originally planned for the Accra Sports Stadium, the match has been shifted to the University of Ghana Stadium to ensure modern facilities, stronger security, and a better fan experience.
The Democracy Cup, championed by Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, is gradually evolving into more than just a football event—it is fast becoming a civic ritual that uses the passion of the beautiful game to deepen Ghana’s democratic culture and sense of national belonging.
