“Play for the Ghana Flag” Pres. Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians at home and across the diaspora to unite behind the Black Stars as the national team prepares to begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama.

In a message aimed at inspiring both players and supporters, President Mahama urged the nation to put aside differences and stand together as Ghana embarks on another quest for success on football’s grandest stage.

The President emphasised that the Black Stars represent the hopes and aspirations of millions of Ghanaians, describing the FIFA World Cup as a unique opportunity for the country to showcase its talent, resilience and national pride to a global audience.

“At moments like these, football has the power to unite us all,” he said. “I encourage every Ghanaian, wherever they may be, to rally behind the Black Stars and support them throughout the tournament.”

Ghana enter the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup with renewed optimism following an impressive qualifying campaign and a strong run of form in the build-up to the tournament. The four-time African champions will be aiming to progress beyond the group stage and rekindle memories of their historic quarter-final appearance at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The opening fixture against Panama is expected to be a stern test, with both sides eager to make a positive start in a highly competitive group. A victory would provide a significant boost to Ghana’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

Support for the Black Stars has continued to grow in recent days, with fans across the country organising watch parties and social media campaigns to demonstrate their backing for the team.

As anticipation builds ahead of kick-off, the President’s message serves as a rallying call for national unity, with millions expected to follow the Black Stars’ journey and cheer them on in their pursuit of World Cup glory.

About The Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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