Sunderland AFC Owner Louis-Dreyfus Leads Delegation to Speaker Bagbin, Eyes Deeper Ghana Partnership Beyond Football

Mr. Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, owner and Chairman of English Premier League side Sunderland AFC, has led a delegation to call on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, in a move to strengthen ties between the club and Ghana.

The visit of the Sunderland AFC team was in response to a recent visit by the Speaker to the headquarters of the EPL club. That trip forms part of a strategic partnership for the annual Democracy Cup match initiated by Speaker Bagbin.

Addressing a team of Ministers and Chief Executive Officers of some corporate institutions, Mr. Louis-Dreyfus said the visit follows the Speaker’s earlier trip to the United Kingdom and the plan to formalize a relationship between the club and Ghana.

He noted Sunderland AFC’s long-standing connection to the country. “We have over the years had different connections with Ghana and it’s time to institutionalize the relationship for the mutual benefits of both sides,” Mr. Louis-Dreyfus said. He cited former Black Stars players Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari and John Mensah, who once played for the EPL side and “made significant impact with the team.”

Speaker Bagbin commended the delegation for following up on his visit, calling it an indication that the club was keen on institutionalizing the relationship.

“This visit goes beyond football. There are many business opportunities for us as a country to explore. That is why we carefully selected participants for this important meeting,” Bagbin said. “I hope the ministers, and members of the business community will take advantage of the meeting and explore business opportunities available to them.”

The Speaker added that the EPL team will also explore avenues to support and promote the annual Democracy Cup. “Football is the most populous sport in the country and the relationship will help strengthen its growth in Ghana. We are looking forward to having deeper relationship with Sunderland to help us in the areas of youth development and women football,” he said.

As a gesture, the Speaker presented a special fugu to each member of the delegation.

The meeting comes during a busy week in Parliament, with the 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Sovereignty and Values underway and political debate intensifying around the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.