Author: Sammy Heywood Okine
Her Ladyship, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has declared her full support for the maiden edition of the Democracy Cup Match between two most decorated clubs in Ghana, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko slated for Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Chief Justice Torkonoo made this declaration when Hon. Cletus Avoka Member of Parliament for Zebilla East Constituency on behalf of Parliament presented the coveted trophy to the Chief Justice in Accra on Monday.
According to Her Ladyship, “I am delighted to receive the trophy which serves as a token of Ghana’s democracy.
“Democracy has been the backbone of Ghana’s peace and development and the decision to use football, which is the passion of the nation to promote democracy in Ghana is a step in the right direction”. She said.
“I wish to commend Parliament for this noble initiative that seeks to further enhance Ghana’s democracy,” she added.
The Chief Justice further said, she will mobilise her team to the stadium to throw their support behind the match to ensure its success.
However, the Honourable Member of Parliament for Zebilla East Constituency, Cletus Avoka, also said, “the match would be used to promote free, fair and transparent elections.
“We are in an election year and I hope this special initiative would be used as a platform to promote peace and unity in the country”.
He continued, “We want to ensure that, after the elections none of the parties would come to the Chief Justice seeking redress or any matter.
“I also want to appeal to the Electoral Commission to ensure free and fair officiating as the final arbiter of the game,” Mr. Avoka noted.
Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko would meet for the third time this season, after they had met twice in the Ghana Premier League.
The two clubs would vie for the maiden Democracy Cup, an initiative of Parliament of Ghana to celebrate 30 years of parliamentary democracy in Ghana.
Prior to the main match, Members of Parliament on both sides (ie Majority and Minority) would take on former Black Stars players in a special curtain raise as a sign of Unity and Peace ahead of the 2024 elections.
