A group of Ghanaians residing in the USA has praised the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, for introducing the Democracy Cup as part of the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth Republic.

In a statement issued by the group, led by Mr Mike Offie, a former senior staff member at the World Bank and IMF, the Democracy Cup was lauded as a brilliant initiative that would foster peace among Ghanaians during the intense election period.

"The Democracy Cup is a move that leverages the most popular sport in Ghana, football, to promote the Fourth Republican democracy, and we are truly impressed by the genius thinking behind it," the statement read.

"Through this, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin is demonstrating to Ghanaians that the positive passion we have for our football can be channelled into our politics."

The inaugural Democracy Cup match was held on 17th July 2024, between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko. Asante Kotoko emerged victorious, defeating Hearts of Oak 2-1 to win the maiden edition of the competition.

As part of their reward for clinching the trophy, the Porcupines are scheduled to travel to Washington D.C. to play a friendly match against D.C. United next month.

Mr. Michael Offie and his group also commended the Speaker for arranging for the winning team to play D.C. United in the USA, citing the symbolic significance given the USA’s strong democratic tradition.

"With the United States being one of the leading democracies in the world, the arrangement for the champions of the Ghana Democracy Cup to play a team from the city that hosts the government of the world’s most advanced democracy is powerfully symbolic," Mr Offie stated.

He further expressed the group’s full support for the competition.

"We in the diaspora are wholly supportive of this initiative and congratulate the Speaker for such a masterstroke."

The competition aims to promote peace among Ghanaians during election years.