GFA, Sports Ministry lead national thanksgiving service for Black Stars’ World Cup campaign

The leadership of Ghana’s football fraternity, alongside officials from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, gathered at the All Saints Anglican Church in Adabraka on Sunday, May 17, 2026, for a solemn national interdenominational thanksgiving and prayer service. The event was held to seek divine guidance and offer gratitude for the Black Stars’ successful qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The service was led by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel Sylvanus Torto, Anglican Bishop of Accra, who offered prayers for the nation’s football future and called for unity, discipline, and success across all levels of the game .

A high-profile delegation attended the service, including the Sector Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, and the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and 2nd CAF Vice-President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku. They were joined by members of the GFA Executive Council and other key stakeholders .

In his address, Minister Kofi Iddie Adams expressed sincere gratitude to Rt. Rev. Dr. Torto and the distinguished Bishops for their continuous prayers, guidance, and unwavering support for Ghana football.

Echoing this sentiment, GFA President Kurt Simeon-Okraku revealed that the qualification journey was intentionally rooted in faith. “Indeed, if you listened to my sector minister, you would fully appreciate the reason why we are here today. We started the journey with the support of the church and having qualified to the mundial, it was always important for us to come back here to say thank you to the Almighty God and seek His blessings as we continue,” he stated .

President Simeon-Okraku also rallied supporters, declaring the team’s ambition to compete fiercely on the global stage: “We will go to Canada, we will go to Mexico if the law allows us, if the competition allows us, and we will go to the United States and make our dear country great and strong. We will make Ghana proud” .

The prayers extended beyond the senior national team. The congregation offered thanksgiving for the Black Princesses following their qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Support was also pledged to the Black Starlets, who are campaigning at the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the Black Maidens. The service also celebrated the U-15 girls’ national team for successfully defending their African Schools Football Championship title in Zimbabwe .

In a symbolic gesture of national unity, President Simeon-Okraku and Minister Kofi Adams presented official Black Stars jerseys to the bishops. Together, through faith, unity, and determination, the football fraternity remains hopeful for the continued growth of the game and a successful tournament campaign in North America.