Democracy Cup has come to stay - Clerk of Parliament

The Clerk to Parliament, Rev Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, has said the Democracy Cup has become an important part of Ghana’s democratic process and will continue to play a key role in promoting national unity and participation in democracy.

Speaking before kickoff at the Democracy Youth Cup at the Mcdan astroturf in Labadi, Rev Djietror said the initiative, introduced three years ago, was aimed at deepening democratic values and encouraging active citizen participation through football.

“Democracy Cup has come to stay,” he stated, describing the competition as a unique platform that blends sports and democratic education.

According to him, Ghana’s democratic journey under the Fourth Republic continues to make steady progress after 33 years of constitutional rule.

“We have had a very vibrant democracy over the past 33 years. It is our hope, our interest and indeed our dream that this democracy will last,” he said.

Rev Djietror noted that despite political differences and varying ideologies, Ghanaians continue to share a common vision of national development.

“As a country, we may disagree, we may have various views and perspectives, and belong to different political parties, but there is beauty in democracy. We agree to disagree, but at the end of the day, we all forge ahead because we have a common goal,” he stressed.

The Clerk of Parliament explained that football was deliberately chosen as a tool to promote democratic values because of its ability to unite people from different backgrounds.

“In football, we have different sides and opponents, each aiming at winning. But at the end of the day, once the game is over, there is a common winner and we all rally behind that winner,” he said.

He added that democracy must ultimately focus on improving the lives of citizens.

“Democracy is about human development. If it is not about human development, then it is about nothing,” he emphasized.

PAH/JE

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