Democracy Cup trophy visits Police, NCCE before Kotoko-Hearts

Parliament has continued its Democracy Cup trophy tour with visits to the Ghana Police Service and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), ahead of Friday’s meeting between Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak in Kumasi.

The tour is part of preparations for the third edition of the competition and Parliament’s engagement with institutions involved in the event. A delegation headed by Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror presented the trophy to Inspector General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno and members of the Police Command.

Yohuno confirmed the Police Service’s participation and commitment to security arrangements for the fixture. The service’s involvement will extend across the event, which will bring together two of Ghana’s most prominent football clubs.

The delegation then took the trophy to the NCCE’s headquarters at Ridge, where it was received by chairperson Kathleen Addy and her staff. Addy welcomed Parliament’s use of football to support and strengthen Ghana’s democratic values.

The Democracy Cup has also been linked to the work of Speaker Alban Bagbin, whom Addy credited with championing the initiative. She said the competition offered an opportunity to reflect on the importance of democracy and the need to value it despite the system’s shortcomings.

Kotoko won the first edition of the competition, while Hearts are the defending champions after defeating Great Olympics last year. The main fixture in Kumasi will follow a programme of curtain-raisers, including a match between a Parliamentary XI and a Judiciary XI.