The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Christian Rogg, joined the viral “Kakalika” dance trend with music duo DopeNation during an English Premier League finale watch party hosted at his residence in Accra.
The British envoy was joined by Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Lydia Yaako Donkor, Ghanaian football legend Asamoah Gyan, and DopeNation as guests danced to the globally trending tune while celebrating Arsenal’s Premier League triumph after 22 years.
The event brought together ardent Arsenal supporters, football stakeholders, and personalities within Ghana’s sporting fraternity, including Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, and President of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Anthony Baffoe.
Black Queens midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe and Ghanaian-born British footballer Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah of Nottingham Forest also joined the watch party, creating an avenue for conversations around football development in England and the growing sports relations between Ghana and the United Kingdom, particularly in tourism, talent development, and the football economy.
The atmosphere was filled with chants, cheers, and celebrations as Arsenal supporters across the country donned club jerseys and sang club anthems while the Gunners secured their fourth Premier League title with 86 points, ending Manchester City’s hopes of another title run under Pep Guardiola.
Football legend Asamoah Gyan congratulated Arsenal supporters on the triumph while reflecting on his own experience in English football during his stint with Sunderland, where he scored 11 goals in 37 appearances.
Gyan noted that he blended entertainment with football throughout his career, citing his famous “Ewulemonko” dance and collaborations with musicians including the late Castro and Stonebwoy.
“I had a good time. I became a fan favourite because of the ‘Ewulemonko’ dance. Football is all about passion; people are very passionate about football. In my time, I brought entertainment into football as well,” he said.
Beyond entertainment and fan culture, Ghana’s long-standing connection with English football continues to generate significant economic and developmental value. Over the years, several Ghanaian footballers have secured high-profile transfers to English Premier League clubs, contributing to Ghana’s visibility on the global football stage and strengthening sporting relations between Ghana and the UK.
Chelsea’s signing of Michael Essien from Olympique Lyon in 2005 for approximately £24.4 million remains one of the most iconic Ghanaian transfers in Premier League history. Thomas Partey’s £45 million move from Atletico Madrid to Arsenal in 2020 further highlighted the growing market value of Ghanaian football talent within the English game.
Mohammed Kudus also secured a major move to West Ham United in 2023 in a deal reportedly worth more than £38 million, continuing the trend of Ghanaian stars becoming valuable assets in the Premier League economy.
These transfers not only elevate Ghana’s football reputation internationally but also create broader economic opportunities through remittances, sponsorships, tourism exposure, scouting networks, merchandise sales, and youth football investments linked to the UK football industry.
The Premier League’s popularity in Ghana has also strengthened cultural and commercial ties between both countries, making football an increasingly influential component of Ghana–UK relations.
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