In the face of Ghana’s economic travails, the country’s Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta is praying for a resurgence akin to the Black Stars’ in the coming months.
With the Stars set to return to the world stage later today against Portugal, Ofori-Atta sought inspiration from the team’s rise when presenting the national budget for 2023 in Parliament.
With a Ghana sash draped around his neck, Mr Ofori-Atta began by offering support to the team and urging the listening Members of Parliament and the public to do the same.
“This afternoon, the senior National Team, the Black Stars, will be representing our nation for the fourth time at the Football World Cup in Qatar. Let us continue to bear them in our prayers and offer our support. Working together after missing the last tournament, we have risen again and taken our place on the world stage,” he said.
The Black Stars exited the 2014 World Cup at the group stage in very ignominious circumstances and failed to qualify for the tournament in Russia in 2018.
A couple of underwhelming AFCON performances sank the team’s image even further.
Qualification for the 2022 World Cup, against fierce rivals Nigeria, has boosted the reputation of the team and Ofori-Atta is hoping for a similar recovery for Ghana’s economy, which is currently in dire straits.
“We must be inspired by the re-emergence of the Black Stars on the world stage. We must work together to ensure that our economy rises again to the comfort of our people,” he said.
“This budget offers us a better opportunity to jointly work towards rebuilding the economy and rediscovering our providential way towards our manifest destiny.”
Ofori-Atta wasn’t the only one showing national spirit on Thursday as Speaker, Alban Bagbin and a number of MPs were also clad in Ghana-coloured attire.
The House was also decorated with Ghana flags.
Portugal vs Ghana at the 2022 World Cup kicks off at 4pm (Ghana time).