A high-powered delegation of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) paid a courtesy visit on Dr. Kwabena Duffuor on Wednesday to congratulate him for the recent national award he received and to thank him for the immense support he has given Ghana football over the past few years.
The delegation led by GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi included his vice-president George Afriyie, General Secretary Emmanuel Gyimah and one of his deputies Ibrahim Sannie as the visited in his office.
The GFA delegation was accompanied by Unibank's Executive Director Owusu-Ansah Awere and Larry Opare Otoo of Primeval, sponsorship agents of the bank's partnership with the Black Stars.
Ghana President John Mahama conferred a national honour on the former Finance Minister two weeks ago for distinguishing himself in the field of business.
Duffuor, the founder of Unibank - the official banking partner of the Black Stars - was honoured with the Companion of the Order of the Volta award.
"We heard of the decision by the President of the country His Excellency John Dramani Mahama to award you the Companion of the Order of the Volta award. The award is a big honour of the work you have done for this country so we decided to come here to congratulate you," Nyantakyi told Dr Duffuor.
"This award encourages us the younger ones to work harder to emulate what you have done for the country. You truly deserve the award.
"You have set the standard for us to follow not only in the area of business but the immense support you are offering to us in sports too is there for all to see.
"We pray that God gives you long life and good health."
Dr Duffuor expressed his gratitude to the GFA for recognising the work he has done for Ghana and reserved some praise for Nyantakyi's leadership of the country's football federation.
The former governor of the Bank of Ghana underlined the role of football in promoting the brand of the country abroad, citing an example of former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah on his recent visit to Turkey.
"You must continue to lead the federation the way you have led it that has brought laurels to the country on the football pitch," Dr Duffuor said.
"You must not relent in your efforts of improving the already high standards you have set for Ghana football and as the game is unrecognisably using football in spreading the Ghana brand.
"I was recently in Turkey and when my driver asked where I am from he immediately said Stephen Appiah. This shows that football is selling and positively spreading the name of Ghana.
"You must continue on this path as this is the right way to go. I want to thank you for all you have done for this country."
Unibank boosted the Black Stars campaign at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea where the country finished second.