Ga Mantse (4th L) flanked by traditional leaders
The Ga Mantse King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II has backed this year’s Democracy Cup by pledging to purchase 1,000 tickets.
ACCRA HEARTS of Oak and Great Olympics will renew their rivalry in the 2025 edition of the Democracy Cup, scheduled for Friday, September 5, at the University of Ghana Stadium.
In the build-up to the match, the organising team, led by Cler to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, paid courtesy calls on key democratic institutions and traditional leaders to rally support for the initiative.
The delegation first visited the Ga Mantse Palace, where King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II lauded the effort and pledged to purchase 1,000 tickets for the game.
“We should not take our democracy for granted, and I believe it is a great initiative from the Members of Parliament and the Speaker of Parliament to lead this and bring Ghanaians together,” the Ga Mantse said.
He added that “Many countries have gone through elections that ended in conflict, but Ghana has enjoyed peace and respect. Today, I’m ready to support with 1,000 tickets.”
The organisers also called on the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Electoral Commission (EC).
At the EC head office, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bossman Asare assured the Commission’s backing and suggested that the EC be featured in the competition’s curtain-raiser in future editions.
“On behalf of the Chairperson, I want to assure you that we are in full support of this initiative. Next week, we will be present to support,” he said.
He added that “We also wish that next time, the EC—with our able-bodied men and women—is included prominently in the curtain-raiser.”
Mr. Djietror emphasised that Parliament is harnessing football’s unique ability to unite Ghanaians in celebration of democracy.
“Football brings people together. It generates healthy competition, but once a winner is declared, that ends the contest. That is the spirit of democracy, and that is what we seek to promote through this event,” he stated.
The Democracy Cup, introduced in 2023, is an initiative of Parliament aimed at using football as a tool to celebrate and strengthen Ghana’s democratic journey.
BY Wletsu Ransford