President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghana’s youth to take an active role in protecting and strengthening the country’s democracy, describing it as both an inheritance and a responsibility.

Speaking at the Presidency during the presentation of the Democracy Cup by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, the President delivered a stirring message:

“So to our young people, I say democracy is your inheritance, but it’s also your responsibility.

You must cherish it. You must nurture it, and when called upon, you must defend it with courage and conviction.”

The ceremony, which highlighted football as a tool to promote civic engagement, underscored the growing use of sports to connect young Ghanaians to democratic values.

President Mahama praised the initiative, commending the Speaker’s vision:

“By linking democracy with sports, he has created an innovative platform that engages the energies of our youth, inspires our citizens and raises awareness about the centrality of democratic governance to Ghana’s peace, stability and progress.”

The President stressed that democracy goes beyond elections, describing it as a system rooted in accountability, inclusion, fairness, and justice.

“It is about creating a society where every Ghanaian can aspire and achieve regardless of their background,” he said.

Drawing parallels between governance and sports, Mahama noted that both require discipline, fairness, and respect for rules. “Democracy, like sports, teaches us that while competition is healthy, the ultimate goal is unity, progress and nation-building,” he added.

Accepting the Democracy Cup on behalf of Ghanaians, the President reminded the nation that democratic governance is a continuous process:

“May this cup remind us daily that democracy is not an event but a living process, a process that we must all work together to protect and deepen for generations to come.”

The presentation ceremony marked the culmination of the Democracy Cup’s symbolic journey through key governance institutions and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth engagement and democratic education through football.

Since 1992, Ghana has sustained its constitutional democracy, navigating challenges while making notable progress in peaceful power transitions, human rights protection, and civic freedoms.