Gospel musician Grace Ashly received funding for her latest Black Stars cheer song from Medeama SC owner Moses Armah 'Parker'. Ms. Ashly secured GHS 9 from Mr. Armah to sponsor the new musical rendition. This support comes after her repeated public complaints about the lack of financial backing from Ghana's football authorities.
Ms. Ashly revealed the sponsorship during an interview with Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z. She stated that neither the Ghana Football Association (GFA) nor the Sports Ministry provided any assistance. Mr. Armah personally reached out and funded this new version of her cheer song. This individual patronage contrasts sharply with the broader lack of institutional support for artists promoting national teams.
This situation highlights a recurring theme in Ghana's sports and culture landscape: the reliance on private individuals for initiatives that promote national pride. While official bodies like the GFA manage significant budgets, creative contributions often struggle to find formal funding. This reliance on individual philanthropy ensures such projects continue, but suggests a gap in public funding mechanisms for cultural support. Data on GFA's allocations often prioritises direct football development over cultural outreach programs.
“I couldn’t get anything from the GFA or the Sports Ministry yet individually, one person Moses Armah ‘Parker’ called me and sponsored me,” Ms. Ashly stated. “This new version you are listening to was sponsored by Moses Parker.” Her statement underscores the direct contrast between official inaction and private generosity. Similar instances of private individuals stepping in to fund public or national interest projects are common in Ghana.
The successful funding of this song means the Black Stars will have another rallying anthem as they prepare for future tournaments, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This move could encourage more private individuals to support cultural initiatives linked to national teams. It also prompts further discussion on how national sports bodies should integrate cultural contributions into their budgets. Future public discourse may analyse GFA spending and support for non-playing aspects of national team promotion.
Grace Ashly has composed and performed cheer songs for the Black Stars since 2006. She remains one of the most vocal celebrity supporters of the national team. Other Ghanaian artists, including Kofi Kinaata and Stonebwoy, also released cheer songs for the Black Stars this year. Ms. Ashly expressed hope that the Black Stars will progress beyond the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This continuous output of cheer songs by various artists demonstrates strong public enthusiasm for the national team's success.
Ms. Ashly also expressed disappointment regarding the dismissal of former Black Stars coach Otto Addo. She had advocated for strengthening his technical team instead of terminating his appointment. Otto Addo was relieved of his duties in March 2026 following a series of disappointing results. The GFA subsequently appointed Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz as the new Black Stars coach. Her comments reflect a broader public debate about coaching stability and strategic decisions within Ghana football management.