Ghana Week DC 2024 concluded on a high note as the Ghana Week DC Select Side triumphed over DC United 2-1 in an exhilarating football (soccer) match at Audi Field in Washington, DC. The victory was not only a sporting highlight but also a symbol of the growing cultural and economic ties between Ghana and the United States, with a special emphasis on connections through the diaspora.

The match marked the second edition of the Capital City Africa Cup and served as the perfect finale to a week-long celebration of Ghana’s rich culture, tourism, and investment opportunities.

The Ghana Select Side, was composed of an impressive mix of talent, featuring seven players from Asante Kotoko’s first team and two players from Attram De Visser FC, as well as other top Ghanaian players based in the United States. Despite the initial setbacks, including challenges with visa acquisition that led to Asante Kotoko’s withdrawal from the scheduled match, the Ghanaian team delivered a stellar performance. Team Ghana came from behind to claim a hard-fought 2-1 win.

DC United’s U-18 team took an early lead in the first half, however, Ghana’s determination and skill quickly came into play, with Kotoko’s Elvis Kyei Baffour netting the equalizer just before halftime. The second half saw Geoffrey Owusu score the winning goal, securing Ghana’s place as champions of the Capital City Charity Cup.

The match was a highly anticipated event, headlining the Ghana Week DC events, which included the opening reception at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art, Hospitality Travel & Tourism B2B Forum at the Embassy of Ghana DC, African Restaurant Week, and the Ghana Property and Lifestyle Expo. All activities aimed to promote Ghana’s tourism, culture, investment potential and sports within the DMV area (Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia). It brought together members of the African diaspora, Americans, and Ghanaians, further strengthening the bridge between Ghana and the United States. This victory not only highlighted Ghana’s growing influence in sports but also reinforced the strong bonds that can be forged through sporting events like the Capital City Africa Cup.

Photos: TwinsDntBeg

Washington DC, October 9th, 2023 – Today, October 9th, 2023, the Capital City Africa Week Festival and Ghana Week DC officially kicks off with an opening ceremony at the True Reformer Building at 5pm in the heart of Washington DC. This inaugural week-long celebration unites people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate in the uniqueness of Ghanaian culture, heritage, and experiencing how the beautiful game of football (soccer) brings people together.

The opening ceremony, today features distinguished guests who have a strong interest in Ghanaian art, culture, business, tourism, and sports. Notable dignitaries who travelled from Ghana to participating in the momentous occasion include the Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Awal, the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, and the CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Yofi Grant underscoring the significance of this event in fostering international ties and cross-cultural connections.

Paxton Baker, CEO PKB Enterprise and Managing Partner LIQUID SOUKL-DC, has been a key stakeholder in this event.  He has been invested in the promotion of Ghana’s economic development for two decades, making this an important event for him.  He is scheduled  to speak at the opening ceremony on how this week of events is an opportunity to increase awareness and interest in the potential for business investment in Ghana and the African continent overall. 

Richard Michaels, Director of West Africa Office, State Department, Candice Jones, CEO of Public Welfare Foundation, Angie Gates, President and CEO of Events DC, and Hajia Alima Mahama, Ghanaian Ambassador to the U.S., are also scheduled to speak at the opening ceremony. 

A fireside chat featuring Ghanaian artists will be moderated by Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE, Founder and President of GUBA Enterprise.  One of the featured artists will be Nana Kwesi Agyare-Ansah, known for his innovative work, he’s been widely recognized for his work both locally in Ghana and internationally. 

At the heart of this exciting week of events will be highly-anticipated Capital City Africa Cup, a club-friendly soccer match scheduled for October 14^th, 5pm (ET) at Audi Field. The match features Medeama SC, the Ghanaian Men’s Premier League Team Champion, and DC United, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team.  The match elevates sports to the forefront and serves as a vital tool to connect our communities through sports.  The game is not just about goals and winning; it’s a powerful opportunity to be a symbol of unity and collaboration.

With over 20,000 enthusiastic fans expected to fill the stands at Audi Field, the atmosphere is bound to be electrifying. The stadium will echo with cheers and unwavering support for both teams, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone. It’s a celebration that bridges our communities through the unifying power of sports.

Ghana Week DC and the Capital City Africa Cup serve as a reminder of the profound impact of sports and culture in uniting nations. This event transcends boundaries, inviting everyone to partake in the festivities, savor Ghanaian cuisine, groove to vibrant music, and appreciate remarkable art exhibitions. It’s a captivating tapestry that celebrates the bonds of humanity.

The Capital City Africa Week Festival aligns with the engagement between the United States and Africa. It follows the U.S-Africa Leaders Summit hosted by President Biden in December 2022, where leaders, businesses, diaspora representatives, and policymakers gathered to define the future of the continent and strengthen global connections. Corporate leaders from both American and African companies committed resources and investments, emphasizing the African Union’s strategic vision for the continent’s future.

Building upon this foundation, the Capital City Africa Week Festival and Ghana Week DC focuses on fostering economic engagement, cooperation, and business investment across sectors. Throughout the week, corporate partners will take center stage at various events, collaborating with leaders and decision makers who can influence business partnerships between the DMV community and Ghana.

Ghana Week DC is a celebration of culture, diplomacy, and sportsmanship, poised to make a lasting mark on the cultural calendar of Washington DC. We invite everyone to join us in this remarkable journey of cultural exchange, unity, and the love for the beautiful game.

Information about the week’s events: www.capitalcityafricacup.com

For media inquiries on Capital City Africa Festival & Ghana Week DC please contact: Annabelle: annabelle@beyondthereturngh.com

For inquiries about today’s opening ceremony: www.capitalcityafricacup.com/RSVP

About Ghana Week DC:

Ghana Week DC is an annual celebration of Ghanaian culture, heritage, and traditions, held in Washington DC. It showcases the vibrancy of Ghana through various cultural events, including music, dance, art, and sports, culminating in the Capital City Africa Cup soccer match.

Story by Ivy Prosper

At the heart of this week of events is the “Capital City Africa Cup,” an historic football (soccer) friendly match scheduled for 14th October 2023. This match will see D.C. United, one of Major League Soccer’s most decorated clubs, facing off against the Ghana Premier League champions, Medeama SC. This event is not just about sports; it symbolizes the coming together of cultures and the strengthening of ties between two nations.

Ghana’s Ambassador to the U.S., Hajia Alima Mahama, expressed the significance of this event, stating, “This momentous occasion not only brings our vibrant Ghanaian culture to the forefront but also strengthens the bonds of friendship and partnership between our two nations.” She also highlighted the evolving collaboration between Ghana and Washington, D.C., especially in areas like the pharmaceutical industry.

Ghana Week in DC, featuring the Capital City Africa Cup match, is more than just a football (soccer) match; it is a celebration of Africa’s diversity and an opportunity to promote economic engagement and cooperation. The festival will feature a range of cultural, economic, and sporting events designed to foster collaboration and investment in critical sectors such as health, infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, and digital technology.  Businesses and vendors will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services throughout the week of festivities. 

During a recent media event, Ambassador Mahama, alongside key partners, shared insights into the festival’s goals and significance. D.C. United President of Business Operations, Danita Johnson, emphasized the importance of cultural unification through sports, saying, “D.C. United being the host of the Capital City Africa Cup is a true representation of bringing cultures together and the unification of soccer.” D.C. United, with its impressive history of domestic and international successes, is uniquely positioned to host such an event. The club has won the MLS Cup four times, the Supporters’ Shield four times, and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup three times, making them a powerhouse in U.S. soccer. Events DC President and CEO, Angie M. Gates, underscored the local economic impact of the event, saying, “Hosting the Capital City Africa Cup in the District of Columbia will grow our local economy and bring in over $3.4 million dollars.”

This is an exciting time for Ghana as the Medeama Sporting Club, the Ghanaian Premier League champions, will bring their football dominance to the Capital City Africa Cup. Ghanaian talent are known around the world for their skills in the sport and this opportunity to have a friendly match in Washington DC, will give them more attention in the U.S. market. The week of festivities will also highlight Ghanaian businesses who will be travelling to showcase their products and services.

Paxton Baker, Managing Partner of LIQUID SOUL-DC, made a trip to Ghana earlier this year to launch the event and share information in Ghana and why it’s important to him to be part of this event.  He recently highlighted the festival’s cultural significance, stating, “The Capital City Africa Week Festival is set up to be a celebration of African culture.” He expressed hope that the week of special events would inspire people to explore and learn more about Ghana and the broader African culture.

“There is much anticipation as the festival is quickly approaching,” said Ghana Tourism Authority’s Annabelle McKenzie, who is the Director of its Beyond the Return Secretariate.  “I’m looking forward to the week of activities bringing the diaspora together with Ghanaians who will travel to DC for the festivities.  This will also be an opportunity for Americans to learn more about Ghana and explore opportunities to plan a future trip to see what we have to offer.”

Ghana Week in DC, will be filled with cultural richness, economic collaboration, and unforgettable sporting moments. This initiative exemplifies the power of culture and sports to bring people together and strengthen international bonds.

For more information about the week’s events please email support@beyondthereturngh.com or annabelle@beyondthereturngh.com.

Over 200 youth showed up to play some American football at the Adjiringanor Football Park in East Legon this past weekend.  The energy was filled with excitement as they came out to participate in the second annual Kile’s World Foundation Football Camp organized by Titans of Africa in partnership with Ryan M. Glover and his mother Tameka Foster Raymond. They wanted to give back to youth in Africa through sports and Ghana, was a great starting point since they have familial roots.   

“We started the foundation in honour of my son Kile,” Foster Raymond said. Her son died in a tragic jet ski accident during a family gathering in 2012.  “Kile did not play football himself, Kile was an artist and he loved to paint and sing and do theatre. But we wanted the organization to go beyond just what Kile liked.”  She said they often do performing and fine arts camps but wanted to add the element of sports using football.  “Football teaches a lot of discipline, it teaches a lot of focus and it also teaches comradery. You win as a team.”

American Football hasn’t been widely popular in Ghana, but continues to gain popularity as more people are giving a platform to the sport so that the next generation can become fans of the game.  Mohammed Osman Nkosi is the President of Football Operations at Titans of Africa.  He was heavily involved in organizing the camp and is an important part of promoting the sport in Ghana.  “The Kile’s World Foundation camp was really successful. We saw over 200 kids attending and the best part is we were able to take them all through the basics and fundamentals of American football,” he said. “Some of the kids even want to subscribe for constant training to be involved in the sport. Through different platforms, Titans of Africa will provide opportunities for these kids.”  This will be a key part of his continued efforts in promoting American football in Ghana.

Glover, who currently plays college football for UC Berkeley and has aspirations to play professionally in the NFL, believes in the potential for the sport to grow in Ghana.  “Some of these young guys have excellent speed, good strength, very good endurance and that’s the number one thing,” he said. “Right now what I’m trying to do is spread the word about [American] football to Africa.”  The Beyond the Return Secretariat and the Ghana Tourism Authority endorsed the event as an important part of giving back to the community and staying connected with the diaspora who are doing things to support the youth. With so many people in the global African diaspora expressing interest in Ghana, this is certainly an opportune time to connect with those already tied to the sport who share the passion and vision to grow American football in Ghana and other African countries.

The enthusiasm on the faces of the youth drove the energy for the entire day.  They were all excited and had a wonderful time.  “The whole point of this was to give the Ghanaian kids a great experience for the day,” Foster Raymond said.  

Nkosi promises to work hard promoting the sport in Ghana, connecting with key supporters and making sure the youth are presented with the right opportunities so they can become a success playing football.

By: Ivy Prosper