By Eric Appah Marfo
Accra, June 23, GNA – Mr. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister for the Interior, has extended his best wishes to Ghana’s senior national football team, the Black Stars, ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup Group L encounter against England on Tuesday night.
The Minister also urged Ghanaians to celebrate responsibly and commended the security services for measures put in place to ensure public safety during the match.
He gave his well wishes after a press briefing on the aftermath of the 2025/2026 Gun Amnesty Programme and the way forward.
“We are meeting au formidable team, but I know today will be our day. I know the Black Stars are going to make all of us very proud,” he said.
Mr. Muntaka expressed confidence in the team’s chances and prayed for divine protection and fairness during the game.
“I wish the Black Stars the best of luck. We pray that the good Lord helps them, prevents them from injury, and makes the referees be very fair,” he stated.
The Minister noted that a positive result against England would significantly boost Ghana’s chances of progressing to the knockout stage of the tournament.
The Black Stars head into the fixture after a 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening Group L match, while England defeated Croatia 4-2.
Both teams are on three points, making Tuesday’s encounter a decisive one in the race for qualification to the Round of 32. A victory for either side would put them in a strong position to advance from the group.
Mr. Muntaka, however, urged football fans to celebrate with restraint, recalling a recent loss of life linked to celebrations.
“Let us remember in our celebration to be merciful and careful because last week we lost someone during the celebrations,” he said.
He paid tribute to personnel of the Ghana Police Service, National Security, and other security agencies who would be deployed across the country during the match.
“I know our men and women in the security services unfortunately do not get to watch the football the way you and I get to watch. They have to man the streets and the centres where people will be viewing the match,” he said.
The Minister particularly commended the Inspector-General of Police and security commanders for the operational plans developed to protect lives and property while the public focuses on the game.
“Whilst we are busy watching football, they are watching our backs so that people do not take advantage to engage in criminal activities,” he said.
The National Gun Amnesty Programme, which was launched by the Ministry of the Interior in collaboration with the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the Ghana Police Service, and other stakeholders, aimed to reduce the proliferation of illicit firearms and gun-related violence.
The programme, which ran from December 1, 2025, and was later extended to January 30, 2026, allowed individuals to voluntarily surrender or regularise unlicensed firearms without fear of arrest or prosecution.
The initiative was undertaken on the theme, “Silencing the guns to save our lives.”
GNA
Reporter: Eric Appah Marfo
[email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong