Vice President urges all to use sports to unify the country

The Vice President Mr. John Dramani Mahama has urged the people to use the spirit of togetherness exhibited at sporting events, especially football to permeate every facet of the country’s development agenda.

Mr. Mahama noted that, since football generates a lot of passion amongst the people and is devoid of political, ethnic or social standings, there is the need for all to use it as a useful platform to ensure they contribute towards the socio-economic development of the country.

The Vice President made these remarks in an address at the President’s Cup match between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Berekum Chelsea at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday to commemorate Ghana’s Republic Day celebrations.

Mr. Mahama extended the greetings and felicitations of the President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills and his own to the two teams and their representatives and the supporters for making the time to patronize the match

He said that to attain 52 years as a Republican state is no mean achievement and so there is the need to commend the country’s Founding Fathers for their foresight and struggles which ensured Ghana’s status as the first in the sub-region to gain her independence.

The Vice President called on the people to place Ghana first in all their endeavours so that they can collectively ensure the development of the country.

Mr. Mahama said that Government was committed to enhancing the welfare and needs of the people and will do everything to ensure that infrastructural development is provided and improved across the length and breath of the country.

He said that measures are also being put in place to ensure the socio-economic development of the country and called for the people’s support and collaboration to ensure the Government’s ‘Better Ghana’ agenda becomes a reality.

Alhaji Ali Raji, Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) thanked the two teams for participating in the President’s Cup match and appealed to them to abide by the rules and regulations governing the game.

He used the occasion to commend all the Premier League Clubs for a successful season and urged them to put up structures that will improve their performances in the next football season.

Chelsea defeated Kotoko 2-1 to retain the Presidents Cup. They beat Kotoko 9-8 on penalties last season.**