Akufo-Addo pledges support to Black Stars

President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured the senior national football team, the Black Stars, of his unflinching support when he is officially sworn in as president of Ghana.

This came to light when a delegation from the incoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) government which included Isaac Asiamah, the minority spokesperson on sports, and Mustapha Hamid, spokesperson to the newly-elected president, met with officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in Accra on Sunday January 1.

The team has been training in Accra ahead of the 2017 African Cup of Nations in Gabon, which will commence on January 14.

"We are here to represent the president-elect, who would have loved to be here with you but has been engaged in an equally important function. We have come to convey his apologies and his good wishes to you for a successful tournament,” the spokesman to the president-elect said.

He affirmed Nana Akufo-Addo's support for the development of sports in Ghana, especially football.

"Being a former player in the erstwhile Republicans team and having participated in various sporting disciplines, the president-elect is ready to offer his full support to the development of sports especially in football," Mr Hamid noted, adding: "We want you to know that from the 7th of January going, you have a former footballer who understands the profession and what it takes to move football forward as president."

Black Stars midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu thanked the president-elect for his support and pledged the team’s commitment to win the trophy at this month's tournament.

"We have been training in Accra and will travel to UAE to continue preparations and with the confidence and morale in camp, we believe Nana Akufo-Addo will receive the trophy in February", the Italian-based player stated.

The Stars will play in Group D against Uganda, Egypt and Mali.