Accra: A high-level delegation from English Premier League club Sunderland AFC, led by owner and chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, on Wednesday June 3, 2026, paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, in Accra. The visit forms part of efforts to strengthen ties between Sunderland AFC and Ghana following a recent trip by the Speaker to the club's headquarters in the United Kingdom.
According to Ghana Web, the growing relationship is also linked to the annual Democracy Cup initiative, spearheaded by the Speaker of Parliament to promote democracy, unity, and sports development. Addressing a gathering that included government ministers, chief executive officers, and business leaders, Louis-Dreyfus described the visit as a reciprocal gesture aimed at consolidating the emerging partnership between Sunderland AFC and Ghana.
He highlighted the club's historic connection with Ghana, recalling the contributions of former Black Stars players Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, and John Mensah, all of whom represented Sunderland with distinction during their careers in England. Louis-Dreyfus stated that Sunderland AFC has enjoyed strong connections with Ghana over the years and emphasized the importance of institutionalizing this relationship for mutual benefit.
Commercial Manager Scott McCubbin underscored the importance of formalizing the relationship, stressing that Ghana stands to gain significantly from closer collaboration with the club, particularly in youth football development and the advancement of the women's game. He noted that Sunderland AFC is eager to share expertise and explore opportunities that could contribute to the growth of football in Ghana.
Speaker Bagbin commended the Sunderland delegation for following through on discussions initiated during his visit to the United Kingdom, describing their presence in Ghana as a clear demonstration of commitment to building a long-term partnership. According to the Speaker, the visit extends beyond football and presents a valuable opportunity to explore investment prospects and broader economic cooperation between Ghana and the United Kingdom.
Bagbin encouraged members of the business community and government representatives to take full advantage of this opportunity to build meaningful partnerships and unlock new areas of cooperation. He further revealed that Sunderland AFC would play a role in supporting and promoting the annual Democracy Cup, an initiative designed to harness the power of sport to strengthen democratic values and national unity.
The Speaker expressed optimism about the potential contributions of this relationship to the development of football in Ghana, particularly in the areas of youth development, women's football, and broader sports advancement.