Parliament has taken the Democracy Cup to the Ghana Police Service and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Accra as preparations continue for Friday’s meeting between Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak.
The trophy tour reached the two institutions on Tuesday, forming part of a nationwide programme of engagements with key state bodies before the third edition of the competition.
A parliamentary delegation led by Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror began the day at the National Police Headquarters, where the trophy was formally handed to Inspector General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohunu.
The match between Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak will be played at Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Friday, August 28, 2026.
Speaking at the presentation, Djietror said Parliament viewed football as an important means of communicating the principles on which Ghana’s democracy is built.
“Democracy remains the best option we have chosen for governing our country, and the Speaker believes football provides a powerful way of promoting its values because it brings people together, regardless of their differences,” he said.
He added: “The principles of unity, dedication, commitment, honesty, tenacity and healthy competition all resonate strongly with football. These are also values that are essential to sustaining our democracy.”
Yohunu welcomed the presentation and said the Ghana Police Service would support the event by providing the security required for the fixture.
“We have accepted the Democracy Cup, and I will convey to the Speaker that the Police Service is ready to participate and provide the necessary security for the match on August 28,” Yohunu said.
“We are ready to stand beside you and behind you, and we will continue to uphold and protect the democracy we have built over the years.”
NCCE backs football’s civic message
The delegation then travelled to the NCCE, where the trophy was received by the Commission’s Chairperson, Kathleen Addy.
Addy said football offered a powerful way to focus public attention on the need to protect Ghana’s democratic achievements. She described the sport as being central to the country’s national life and said it provided an appropriate setting for reflecting on those achievements.
“We fought for this democracy to stand, and we cannot afford to allow it to fail. The question is how we commemorate and celebrate what we have achieved, and what better platform is there than football, which is at the heart of this nation?” she said.
There was also a lighter moment during the ceremony when Addy recalled the trophy’s previous visit to the Commission.
“Last time they brought the cup here, I threatened to seize it and keep it. It looks even better this time, so that threat still stands. If I hold on to it for too long, Parliament may have to find another cup,” Addy joked.
Despite the playful warning, Addy made clear that the NCCE fully supported Parliament’s initiative and its aim of using sport to encourage civic awareness.
The trophy’s journey will continue with further visits to important institutions, including the Office of the President, before the match in Kumasi.
Friday’s fixture will renew the long-standing rivalry between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, while also giving the organisers an opportunity to promote messages of national unity, civic responsibility and democratic values.
The Democracy Cup is the initiative of the Speaker of Parliament, Right Honourable Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, and the Parliament of Ghana.
