The high-level meeting aimed to deepen bilateral ties, promote grassroots sports development, and explore prospects for organized collaboration between Ghana and Indonesia.
Enhancing Ghana-Indonesia Sports Cooperation
During the meeting, H.E. Rois stated that, while he has assisted various ministries in Ghana through facilitation and collaboration with Indonesia, he has not yet provided similar assistance to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation. As a result, he explicitly stated his willingness to work with and help the ministry in carrying out its purpose.
He congratulated Ghana and the Honourable Minister on their qualification for the 2019 FIFA World Cup, praising the players’ and management’s devotion and tenacity.
H.E. Rois also stated that many young Ghanaian footballers routinely travel to Indonesia to play for Indonesian clubs, which he has personally supported through visa assistance and diplomatic coordination. However, he noted that there is currently no formal bilateral mechanism in place between the governments of Ghana and Indonesia to manage these sporting exchanges.
To address this gap, he proposed the establishment of a structured bilateral agreement between the two countries aimed at
- Exchange programmes between clubs
- Talent and skills transfer
- Joint training initiatives
- Exchange matches
- Capacity building and technology transfer
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According to H.E. Rois, such a relationship would not only boost Indonesian football development but also provide long-term opportunities for Ghanaian players and coaches on the world stage.
Ministry’s Strategic Direction: Grassroots First.
In his response, the Honourable Minister described the Ministry’s new strategic orientation under H.E. John Dramani Mahama, focusing on intentional investment in grassroots and school sports development.
The minister emphasized that the government’s priority is to develop young talents from the ground up rather than merely supporting athletes at the later stages of their careers. He encouraged H.E. Rois to work with the Coordinators of School Sports and Grassroots Sports to appropriately establish possible collaborations.
The Minister welcomed the proposed Ghana-Indonesia football relationship and emphasized the need of well-organized initiatives to avoid scenarios where young athletes travel abroad without proper planning and support mechanisms, which can lead to stressful conditions. He stated that the Ministry would combine its proposals and provide formal recommendations.
“GO GO GO BLACKSTARS”: A Patriotic Musical Initiative.
H.E. Rois, better known as Togbe Afrika in the entertainment sector, reintroduced himself not only as a diplomat but also as a musician with over 26 years of expertise. He formally told the Minister that he had composed a patriotic song named “GO GO GO BLACKSTARS” to encourage the Ghana national team ahead of the World Cup.
Togbe Afrika clarified that the song aims to:
- Restore confidence in Ghanaians who may have lost faith in the Black Stars due to previous defeats.
- Encourage players to perform exceptionally on the world stage.
- Rally the country behind the team.
- Motivate young children and families who look to the players as symbols of hope.
Beyond football motivation, H.E. Rois (Togbe Afrika) disclosed that the song purposely highlights Ghana’s tourist attractions and natural resources, positioning it as a unique diplomatic instrument for promoting tourism and attracting international investment.
According to him, his experience as a diplomat affected the composition. As Honorary Consul of Indonesia in Ghana, one of his responsibilities is to promote Indonesia in Ghana and Ghana in Indonesia. He highlighted that the song’s structure and messaging show a diplomatic approach.
He stressed the song’s Pan-African appeal, which incorporates worldwide musical aspects for a wider audience. Importantly, he avoided addressing individual players, ministers, or political figures to keep the song ageless and relevant beyond decades and leadership transitions.
The Honourable Minister praised the song, describing it as beautiful, poignant, and strategically produced. He was particularly impressed by the blending of tourism and natural resource themes. The minister informed H.E. Rois that the song will be submitted to the technical committee in charge of picking official songs for the 2018 World Cup.
Indonesian Government Scholarship (KNB) Opportunity
H.E. Rois also seized the chance to notify the minister about the fully funded Indonesian Government Scholarship (KNB), which is now open until March 31, 2026.
The scholarship package contains:
- Return Airline Ticket
- Visa Facilitation
- Monthly stipend
- Health insurance.
- Book allowance.
- Research Allowance
- Support for accommodations.
He encouraged the Ministry, athletes, students, and their families to take advantage of this opportunity, pointing out that the scholarship covers a wide range of subjects, equivalent to those offered by Ghanaian and worldwide universities.
In answer to the minister’s question, H.E. Rois stated that full information would be shared with the minister’s personal assistant for further distribution.
A commitment to future collaboration.
In his closing remarks, the Honourable Minister complimented H.E. Paskal A.B. Rois on his achievements and noted that the timing of the visit was both strategic and welcome. He indicated a desire to expand cooperation with the Indonesian government in Ghana and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to structured, long-term sports relationships.
The summit is a crucial step toward strengthening Ghana-Indonesia cooperation in sports diplomacy, youth development, and cultural collaboration, while also underlining the importance of music and education as potent tools for national branding and worldwide engagement.
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