Canada has signalled its commitment to deepening cultural and economic cooperation with Ghana during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Canadian High Commission in Ghana commemorated Black History Month 2026 at the Accra Sports Stadium, emphasising the importance of Black brilliance in football and the role of bringing people together.
The event was organised in collaboration with the National Sports Authority (NSA), Tribe Culture Fest, and the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG).
Speaking at a Black History Month celebration, Madam Françoise Nduwimana, Chargée d’affaires at the Canadian High Commission, said the tournament, which Canada would cohost, presented a unique opportunity to highlight shared values and strengthen longstanding ties between the two countries.
She said Canadians are eagerly awaiting to welcome the Black Stars to Toronto for their first match and sought to strengthen decades of partnership with the vibrant Ghanaian diaspora that had contributed immensely to Canadian society.
Madam Nduwimana noted that football was a popular sport in Canada, particularly for Africans and Caribbeans who used the sport as a means of community building and integration.
She recounted the strong role of Black athletes in shaping Canadian football, referencing historic contributions from diaspora clubs and the rise of players of Ghanaian descent such as Richie Laryea, Stephen Afrifa, and Kwasi Poku.
Highlighting the symbolic connection between the two nations, she recalled that Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal was scored in 2022 by Alphonso Davies, a player born in a refugee camp in Ghana.
This story, she said, reflected the shared history of resilience, opportunity, and multiculturalism.
Madam Nduwimana also emphasised football’s inclusiveness, describing it as a sport with fewer barriers to entry, particularly empowering for girls and women.
Looking ahead to the World Cup, she announced that Air Transat would open a new direct flight route between Toronto and Accra days before Ghana’s first match, helping facilitate tourism, cultural exchange, and business relations.
“The World Cup, just like Black History, is about unity, fairness, respect, and inclusion,” she said, adding that these principles would continue to shape Canada’s diplomacy, development assistance, and trade ties.
Mr Anthony Baffoe, General Secretary of PFAG, said the gathering was a reminder that “history lives through people” and celebrated the shared journey of Ghanaian-born players who had gone on to represent Canada on the global stage.
“Tonight, it is a reminder that history lives through people, legacies cross oceans, and Black excellence in football is built on courage, resilience, and identity.”
“At the PFAG we believe that players are more than just performers. They are leaders, ambassadors, and role models of culture, and all players here are ambassadors for life. Football careers may be temporary, but the impact is permanent,” he said.
Mr Yaw Gyemfi Kusi Awere, Chief Operations Officer of the NSA, said the Authority was delighted to support the event and wished the host countries well ahead of the upcoming football festival.
The event was attended by Ghanaian football legends including Samuel Osei Kuffour, Augustine Arhinful, Kwame Ayew, Yaw Acheampong, Majeed Warris and others.
