H.E. Paskal A.B. Rois, Honorary Consul of Indonesia to Ghana and an accomplished entrepreneur and musician, has paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, to discuss strategic collaboration between Ghana and Indonesia in the area of sports development, particularly football.
The high-level engagement focused on strengthening bilateral ties, promoting grassroots sports development, and exploring opportunities for structured partnerships between the two countries.
Strengthening Ghana–Indonesia Sports Cooperation
During the meeting, H.E. Rois noted that although he has supported several ministries in Ghana through facilitation and collaboration with Indonesia, he had not yet extended similar support to the Ministry for Sports and Recreation. He therefore formally expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Ministry in advancing its mandate.
He congratulated Ghana and the Honourable Minister on the nation’s qualification for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, commending the dedication and resilience of the team and its management.
H.E. Rois further highlighted that many young Ghanaian footballers frequently travel to Indonesia to play for Indonesian clubs, a process he has personally facilitated through visa support and diplomatic coordination. However, he observed that there is currently no formal bilateral framework between the Governments of Ghana and Indonesia governing 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
According to H.E. Rois, such a partnership would not only strengthen football development in Indonesia but also create sustainable opportunities for Ghanaian players and coaches on the international stage.
Ministry’s Strategic Direction: Grassroots First
In his response, the Honourable Minister outlined the Ministry’s new strategic direction under the leadership of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, emphasizing deliberate investment in grassroots and school sports development.
The Minister explained that the government’s focus is to nurture young talent from foundational levels rather than supporting athletes only at advanced stages of their careers. He encouraged H.E. Rois to liaise with the Coordinators for School Sports and Grassroots Sports to properly structure potential collaborations.
Welcoming the proposed Ghana–Indonesia football partnership, the Minister stressed the importance of well-organised programmes to avoid situations where young athletes travel abroad without adequate planning and support systems, sometimes leading to distressing circumstances. He assured that the Ministry would consolidate its proposals and revert with structured recommendations.
“Go Go Go Blackstars” – A Patriotic Musical Initiative
H.E. Rois, also known in showbiz as Togbe Afrika, reintroduced himself not only as a diplomat but also as a musician with over 26 years of experience in the music industry. He formally informed the Minister that he has composed a patriotic song titled “Go Go Go Blackstars” in support of the Ghana national team ahead of the World Cup.
Togbe Afrika explained that the song seeks to:
- Restore confidence among Ghanaians who may have lost faith in the Black Stars due to past setbacks
- Motivate players to perform exceptionally on the global stage
- Unite the nation behind the team
- Inspire young children and families who look up to the players as symbols of hope
Beyond football motivation, H.E. Rois revealed that the song intentionally showcases Ghana’s tourist attractions and highlights the country’s natural resources, positioning it as a creative diplomatic tool to promote tourism and attract international investment.
According to him, his diplomatic background influenced the composition. As Honorary Consul of Indonesia to Ghana, one of his duties is to promote Indonesia in Ghana and Ghana in Indonesia. This diplomatic mindset, he noted, is reflected in the structure and messaging of the song.
He emphasized that the song is Pan-African in appeal, incorporating global musical elements for wider reach. Importantly, he deliberately avoided mentioning specific players, ministers, or political figures, making the song timeless and relevant across generations and leadership transitions.
The Honourable Minister commended the song, describing it as beautiful, impactful, and strategically crafted. He particularly appreciated its integration of tourism and natural resource themes and assured H.E. Rois that the song would be forwarded to the technical committee responsible for selecting official songs for the upcoming World Cup.
Indonesian Government Scholarship (KNB) Opportunity
H.E. Rois also used the occasion to inform the Minister about the fully funded Indonesian Government Scholarship (KNB), which is currently open until 31 March 2026.
The scholarship package includes:
- Return air ticket
- Visa facilitation
- Monthly stipends
- Health insurance
- Book allowance
- Research allowance
- Accommodation support
He encouraged the Ministry, athletes, students, and their families to take advantage of this opportunity, noting that the scholarship covers a broad range of disciplines comparable to programmes offered in Ghanaian and international universities.
In response to the Minister’s inquiry, H.E. Rois assured that detailed information would be shared with the Minister’s Personal Assistant for onward dissemination.
Commitment to Future Collaboration
In his concluding remarks, the Honourable Minister congratulated H.E. Paskal A.B. Rois for his initiatives and stated that the timing of the visit was both strategic and welcome. He expressed openness to strengthening cooperation with the Government of Indonesia and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to structured and sustainable sports partnerships.
The meeting marks a significant step toward deepening Ghana–Indonesia relations in sports diplomacy, youth development, and cultural exchange, while reinforcing the role of music and education as powerful instruments of national branding and international engagement.
