Members of Ghana’s legislature yesterday wished the Black Stars well and urged the team to lift the flag of Ghana high at their maiden appearance in the World Cup.

The members of parliament MPs contributing to a goodwill statement made by Isaac Kwame Asiamah (NPP-Atwima-Mponua) and Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, Youth and Culture.

The members said the team had the whole of the nation behind them and all they needed to do was to show a high sense of patriotism, abide by the rules of the game and go all out to become the winning team.

The World Cup kicks off Friday with Ghana playing her first match against Italy on Monday, June 12.

We reproduce some statements made on the floor of Parliament Wednesday:

Isaac Asiamah said the “impressive performance by the committed Black Stars team did pave the way for them to make this indelible mark of being included in the list of elite nations of the FIFA World Cup fiesta which spans from June 9 to July 9, 2006.”

He added “it may not be mere happening that the Stars qualified on the eve of the nation’s celebration of her Golden Jubilee. Ghana was and has lately assumed the position as a leading Star in Africa.”

He noted that “ultimate victory is possible for the Stars in Germany and one can only encourage the Black Stars to strive to lift the flag and image of Ghana.”

“An excellent performance by the Stars inevitably impinges on the development agenda of Ghana. The call to duty at this critical moment in the history of our beloved country obliges the Stars to be baptized with the spirit of win-win,” Mr Asiamah said.

Isaac Asiamah said: “one expects a clear demonstration of high sense of patriotism on the field of play, the heart of the nation will be in the hands of the eleven players who will be on the field at any given moment.”

Mr Asiamah said President Kufuor and many well-meaning Ghanaians will be at Hanover to offer more psychological and moral support with a view to ensuring overwhelming victory over Italy.

“Mr Speaker , Black Stars are in Group E which includes the Czech Republic ranked second , USA ranked fifth and Italy ranked 13th on the FIFA chart of Best Football nations. This is the group which connoisseurs of soccer have tagged the ‘group of death,’ in that it is a group of titans,” he said.

Mr Asiamah commended the government, corporate bodies and Ghanaians for their immense support to the Black Stars and said “may the support , especially their prayers continue unabated.”

Abuga Pele (NDC-Paga/Chiana) and Minority Spokesman on Sports, Youth and Culture, urged Ghanaians to rally behind the team to bring honours to the country adding “lets pray that they will demolish Italy and go ahead to qualify to the next round.”

Abuga Pele cautioned the players to be disciplined saying football is about discipline, how you approach the game and how determined you are to win.

He observed that the players were products of juvenile and soccer academics and urged the government to team up with the private sector to develop the area for the benefit of the country.

Abuga Pele urged the government to redouble efforts in preparations toward CAN 2008 while appealing to the sector Minister to brief Ghanaians often on the state of preparations.

Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah (NPP-Kwabre West), and Ashanti Regional Minister designate, urged the players “to play to the whistle “adding that nothing weakens a team than losing a player through a red card.

Enoch Mensah (NDC-Ningo/Prampram) urged the players “to play with the referee rather than play against the referee.”
urged the players “to play with the referee rather than play against the referee.”

Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (NPP-Suame) and Majority Chief Whip, cautioned the team against “momentary loss of concentration” and urged them to be very competitive and avoid swollen headedness.

Edward Doe Adjaho (NDC-Avenor Ave) and Deputy Minority Leader, said football was one thing that unite the nation adding “we as a nation, we are solidly behind them and we want them to surprise the world.”