President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has praised the Black Queens for their spirited performances at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), despite missing out on the ultimate prize.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament during the launch of the second edition of the Democracy Cup, Okraku urged Ghanaians to continue supporting women’s football, describing it as crucial to national unity and development.
“In peace, our country uses sports or football in bringing unity to our countrymen and women. This August, both the House and government have been very supportive of association football,” he said.
He expressed gratitude for the passionate remarks Members of Parliament made about the Black Queens’ efforts at the tournament.
“Mr. Speaker, I was gladly glad when I heard members of the House speak with so much passion about our indefatigable, our special, special female national team, the Black Queens.”
Okraku credited the team’s resurgence to sustained support from both the GFA and the government.
“Indeed, what all of us saw was a result of a continuous investment in the female sport—not only by your own football association but also by government. I was very happy that members of Parliament took turns to wish the team well and throw their weight behind the female sport.”
He also reminded the House of the Black Queens’ historic role in Ghana football.
“Honourable Speaker, just to take us back into history: the first senior national team to ever qualify Ghana for a Senior A FIFA World Cup was the Black Queens. That happened in 1999. They were the first to achieve that feat. Can we give it to them, please?”
The Democracy Cup is an annual football match that symbolically celebrates Ghana’s democratic journey through sport. This year’s edition has renewed calls for greater investment in women’s football and its role in promoting national cohesion.
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