Alban Bagbin Leads Parliamentary Delegation to Sunderland to Expand Democracy Cup Partnership
Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament and founder of the Democracy Cup, has led a delegation from the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports on a visit to Sunderland A.F.C. as part of efforts to strengthen international collaboration through football.
The visit forms part of a broader initiative to expand the reach of the Democracy Cup, a competition created to bring Parliament closer to the public while celebrating Ghana’s democratic development through sport.
Since the competition began, two of Ghana’s biggest clubs—Asante Kotoko S.C. and Accra Hearts of Oak S.C.—have emerged as champions.
The newly formed partnership with Sunderland now opens the door for future winners to travel to the United Kingdom, with the 2026 champions expected to benefit from the arrangement.
The programme aims to give Ghanaian players and administrators the chance to observe the operations of well-established football systems while also providing players with opportunities to showcase their abilities beyond the country’s borders. It is also expected to enhance Ghana’s visibility on the global sporting stage.
The parliamentary delegation included the Chairman of the Select Committee on Youth and Sports, Ernest Norgbey, Ranking Member Vincent Ekow Assifuah, and committee member Lawrencia Djowornu.
Their visit to Sunderland represents another step toward strengthening international partnerships through sport while advancing the broader vision behind the Democracy Cup initiative.
