Parliament has presented the 2026 Democracy Cup trophy to the Military High Command at Burma Camp as preparations continue for Friday’s highly anticipated clash between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
A delegation led by Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror visited the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, on Monday. Former Ghana captain John Mensah, who serves as an ambassador for the competition, was also part of the delegation.
The trophy presentation forms part of Parliament’s efforts to rally support for the third edition of the Democracy Cup, an initiative that seeks to use football as a platform to promote democratic values and good governance.
During the visit, Ahumah Djietror invited the Ghana Armed Forces to participate in and support the event, highlighting the military’s contribution to various sectors of national development.
“It [the military] is an institution that has it all. Come to road construction, engineering, anything, medicine, you are there. It's a whole institution, and at this point in time, we felt appropriate, as it were, to come over to you to present the Democracy Cup to you and to crave your support, your indulgence, so that you come along with us in this process.”
Lieutenant General Agyapong welcomed the initiative and pledged the military’s full support for Friday’s event, confirming that the Ghana Armed Forces would be present at the stadium.
“Let me assure you that we will back this particular episode also. We'll be at the stadium.”
The 2026 Democracy Cup will once again feature Ghana’s two biggest football rivals, Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, setting the stage for another chapter in their historic rivalry.
Asante Kotoko won the inaugural edition of the competition, while Hearts of Oak claimed last year’s title after defeating Great Olympics.
The main encounter will be preceded by several curtain-raiser activities, including a special fixture between Parliamentary XI and Judiciary XI, as part of efforts to deepen the connection between football, national institutions and democratic governance.
