Hon. Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, MP for the Damongo Constituency of the Savanna Region, has called on Ghanaians to rally behind the Black Stars as the team plays Panama tonight.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Jinapor said that national unity behind the team would lift Ghana’s global image and deliver economic benefits.
The former Lands Minister expressed optimism that the Black Stars would defeat Panama convincingly to build momentum for the remaining matches.
Jinapor reminded the House of Ghana’s World Cup history, noting 2006 in Germany was the first time the Black Stars qualified for the tournament.
That year, Ghana reached the Round of 16. In 2010 in South Africa, the team went further to the quarter-finals, with Jinapor stating “but for the very unfortunate and mischievous conduct of Suarez of Uruguay,” Ghana would have made history as the first African nation in the semi-finals.
Reflecting on the 2010 quarter-final loss, Jinapor argued that modern goal-line technology would have ruled in Ghana’s favor.
“If the current technology existed, which is the laser technology that determines when the ball has crossed the line, I would say that the Black Stars indeed would have qualified for the semi-finals in 2010,” he stated.
He added that Black people worldwide, from London to New York, rallied behind the team during that tournament.
Highlighting economic and image benefits,
Jinapor told Parliament that a successful World Cup campaign brings “a lot of benefits” to Ghana, including boosts to franchising, trade, commerce, and the country’s international image.
He said when the Black Stars perform well, “the image of our country is lifted,” and urged all MPs and citizens to put aside their differences and support the team.
Jinapor also expressed concern about Ghana’s star midfielder, Thomas Partey, who may miss the upcoming matches due to immigration issues, adding, “I know Partey personally, and I’ve met him personally,” he said. “It’s our hope that the authorities will put in place the right measures to ensure that the immigration status of Thomas Partey is dealt with.”
He added that “his best days are yet to come.”
In closing his remarks, Jinapor said 2026 marks 20 years since Ghana first qualified for the World Cup and expressed confidence that, with national support, the Black Stars in Canada, Mexico, and the USA “will do our country proud and lift the flag of Ghana.”
He ended with a rallying cry: “Let the Black Stars go forward, let the Black Stars win and let the Black Stars come back to Ghana with the World Cup.”
By Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor
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