Stephen Appiah draws analogy between sports and politics

Stephen Appiah has advised politicians and all party faithful to be ready to accept the outcome of results during elections, since there are two ultimate things involved, either a win or a defeat, like the game of football.

The ex-Ghana skipper, Stephen Appiah was on Monday at the State Banquet Hall unveiled by Rt. Rev. Prof Emmanuel Asante, the chairman of the National Peace Council as the Peace and Unity Ambassador for election 2016 during the launch of the Peace Match organized by Primeval Media to advocate for peace ahead of the general elections in November this year

And he used that as an opportunity to advise political parties to be ready for either victory or defeat, but that shouldn’t threaten the democracy we have been enjoying as a nation

“Our mission is the set the tone for peace and unity in Ghana’s election year 2016. It is a popular knowledge that election in our part of the world is stained with pockets of violent and other factors yet I am of the view that here in Ghana we must not let these factors divide us, let alone wipe or threaten the democratic gains we have made over the years

“In my opinion I see elections to be similar to the game of football, there are two ultimate outcomes a win or a lose. There are opposing sides whose supporters have made huge emotional investments and can go extreme length just to see their favourite team win. There is a referee to ensure the rules are obeyed.

“Irrespective of who wins the glory only lies with the two sides made to compete again. Sometimes the excesses resulting from supporters emotional attach if not checked can result in lasting negative consequences.

“Yet again, sports, football has the quality of bonding and healing powers and I intend to be in for the good of the nation in this election year, with the expertise of Primeval media, the organisers of my testimonial match, I will in June this year bring together a number of retired and active international stars to Ghana to play against the Black Stars and Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium and Kumasi Sports stadium respectively to drive home the need for peace and unity.