The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has conveyed his best wishes to the Black Stars ahead of the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire 2023.
The esteemed leader of the nation joined the players and the technical team for a farewell dinner at the team’s camp in Kumasi on Tuesday night, in anticipation of their departure for Abidjan on Wednesday.
President Akufo-Addo was accompanied by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif (Hon), the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah (Hon.), and Hon. Seth Adjei Baah, the Board Chairman of the Ghana Tourism Authority.
The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, and Vice President Mark Addo were present to welcome President Akufo-Addo to the farewell dinner.
Other notable attendees included international businessman and entrepreneur, Kwame Ofosu Bamfo, who also serves as a member of the interim Management Committee of the Black Stars, and Akwasi Agyemang, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority and a member of the Management Committee.
Representing His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was Nana Kusi Agyekum Ababio, the Oyokohene of Kumasi.
MTN, the sponsor of the Black Stars, was also represented at the event. Guido Sopiimeh, the Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Adwoa Wiafe, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer Executive, Simon Amoh, the Senior Manager of Sales and Distribution, Charity Darko, the Corporate Communications Officer, and Akosua Mansah Klutse, the Regional Marketing Officer, were all in attendance.
The colourful ceremony brought together people from the corporate world and the entertainment industry.
Afropop and Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy thrilled guests, players and coaches with some beautiful renditions while Afua Asantewaa Aduonum of Sing-a-thon fame sang the national anthem to usher in the President.
President Akufo-Addo tasked the players to believe in themselves and go into the tournament with a can-do spirit, saying that It is possible to accomplish the long-awaited dream of bringing home an AFCON trophy that has eluded Ghana for more than four decades.
The Black Stars wrapped up their pre-tournament camping in Kumasi with a goalless draw against Namibia Monday night.
Ghana is drawn in Group B alongside Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.
Chris Hughton’s side will face Cape Verde in their opener before they take on record champions Egypt and Mozambique in the other group games.
