Sports News of Saturday, 14 June 2014

Source: One Ghana

Mahama calls for ''One Ghana'' support for Black Stars

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has once again given his full blessings to the Black Stars as they prepare for their third successive appearance at the world’s biggest football showpiece, the FIFA World Cup.

Ghanaians the world over have welcomed the idea to have every son and daughter of the motherland who may not necessarily be a registered member of any supporters group join forces with the official Supporters unions (37 of them ).

So regardless of where one may be, their support should be total as a symbol of solidarity, unity and total support for the Black Stars.

In a recorded message that will be broadcast predominantly on Ghanaian networks at home and a few abroad, the ''Chief Supporter'' of the Black Stars made another passionate call on all Ghanaians regardless of their geographical location to rally solidly behind the boys in Brazil.

'' I have total confidence in our team and I’m sure our players have the ability, the potential and everything that is needed for them to excel, but the Black Stars need you. They need your supports, your encouragement and prayers ''.

‘’ Join me to give our strongest ever support to our shinning Black Stars in Brazil. We are able, we are One Ghana inspiring the Black Stars to go and win big in Brazil’’.

The Flag Staff House is the latest stop by the One Ghana team as they mobilize support for the national team through a number of activities including the Ghana Jamma Festival, Supporters Summit, the Cup and Flag Tour and the Fans Diaries.

In welcoming executives of One Ghana, the President lauded the efforts of the campaign in bringing together all supporters, past Presidents, active and retired sportsmen and women, musicians and corporate Ghana to ignite the concept of Ghanaian supporters without borders.

The Communications Director of the Ghana Boxing Authority Miss Naa Dakuah who is a member of the One Ghana tour team expressed her appreciation to the President for taking time out to record the inspirational message.

Media consultant for One Ghana Mr Yaw Ampofo Ankrah and Communications Manager Edwin Owusu Ofori jointly presented a ‘’One Ghana’’ t-shirt to the President.

In the short video, President Mahama praised the efforts of the team led by Coach Dr. James Akwasi Appiah and Captain Asamoah Gyan for qualifying Ghana to another World Cup.

The President also assured the Black Stars of his unflinching support and his determination to make this World Cup the biggest national project that should be used to unite every Ghanaian everywhere solidly behind the team with the One Ghana message.

Meanwhile as part of efforts to get Ghanaians the world over to rally around the red, gold, green flag, the President is encouraging all Ghanaians to dress in national colours on every match day when the Black Stars will be in action in Brazil.

Communications Director of One Ghana, Edwin Ofori, confirmed that his outfit is seeking partners to sponsor the printing of as many pieces of the ‘’One Ghana’’ t-shirt to distribute to Ghanaians all over the world before, during and even after the World Cup Finals.

Other members of the One Ghana team at the presentation were Mr. Yaw Gyamfi Kusi Awere, Nana Poku Amankwah, David Puplampu and Kweku Bediako of ‘Chocolate’ fame.

The One Ghana Countdown aims at creating the most exciting and biggest support campaign for the Black Stars ever witnessed in Ghana and abroad before, during and after Brazil 2014. Other notable endorsements have come from Marcel Desailly, Ozwald Boateng and Ghanaians in the UK and the USA.

Already ex-President Rawlings has endorsed the concept of ''One Ghana'' for the national team and it is expected that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, former President Kufuor, Nana Akuffo Addo, Kofi Annan, Dr Ibn Chambas and other great Ghanaians will follow suit in the lead up to Brazil 2014.