Former Ghana captain, Stephen Appiah, now a unity and peace ambassador, has equated football to elections.
He said at the launch of the Unity and Peace Cup in Accra on Monday that the same rule applies to the two.
And drawing�similarities between the two, he said like football, elections have two ultimate outcomes � win or lose- and opposing sides whose supporters would have made huge emotional investments may be tempted to go to extreme lengths just to see their favorite team win.
He added that there is a referee to ensure that the rules are obeyed, and irrespective of who wins, the glory only lasts till the two sides meet to compete again.
To Appiah, the excesses resulting from supporters� strong emotional attachment, if not checked, can result in lasting negative consequences.
He revealed that he intends using sports, particularly football, due to its bonding and healing powers, for greater good of the nation in this year�s election.
�It�s popular knowledge that elections in our part of the world are stained with pockets of violence stemming from political differences and other factors. Yet I am of the view that, here in Ghana, we must not let these factors divide us, let alone wipe or threaten to wipe the democratic gains we have made over the years.
�I am convinced we shall go through the November 2016 elections peacefully and we shall come out as one united nation, despite the results.�
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mustapha Ahmed expressed the hope that a nationwide tour�which would be led by Appiah, designed to preach peace, will inspire the youth to stay away from violence.
Ghana Football Association vice president George Afriyie pledged his outfit�s unconditional support in using football to promote peace.
International icons sol Campbell and George Boateng, who are in the country to lend a hand to the campaign, promised to support Appiah and Ghana to realize the dream.
On June 8 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, a galaxy of stars from across the world including Campbell and Boateng will engage in a special match aimed at drumming home the message of unity and peace.
Fans of Accra will have their turn later (June 11) when the international stars face their Black Stars counterparts. The event is being organized by Primeval Media and supported by Unibank, Euro Star, British Airways and Vita Milk.
<<Print>>