Asamoah Gyan, the former captain of Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, has publicly criticized the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for using his fame as a political tool in the 2024 general elections. Gyan, who had been appointed to lead the "Youth and Sports" sub-committee for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign, decided to step down from this role just weeks before the elections. He explained that his decision to resign was due to his desire to focus on humanitarian work rather than becoming embroiled in the political process. The resignation followed a controversial viral video that depicted a confrontation between Gyan and an NPP official, which added to his disillusionment with the party's methods.
In a candid Instagram Live session, Gyan revealed that the NPP had taken advantage of his popularity to sway voters, claiming that the party used his public image to secure votes from the Ghanaian people. He expressed his frustration with how his status as a celebrated sports figure was leveraged for political gain. Despite his significant contributions to both Ghanaian football and various charitable causes, Gyan felt manipulated and exploited by the party. His comments have stirred significant conversation, as they reveal the extent to which political figures can sometimes use celebrities to enhance their electoral prospects.
The controversy surrounding Gyan’s involvement with the NPP also comes in the aftermath of Dr. Bawumia’s electoral defeat. In the final results of the 2024 presidential election, Bawumia received 4,735,687 votes, which amounted to 41.40% of the vote. However, he was defeated by John Dramani Mahama, who garnered a significantly higher share with 6,499,082 votes, or 56.81%. Gyan’s remarks serve to underscore his disappointment in the political handling of his image and reflect his ongoing disillusionment with the political process. While he remains a beloved figure in Ghana due to his football achievements, particularly as the country’s all-time top scorer and the highest-scoring African player in World Cup history, his recent statements highlight the personal toll of being used for political ends.
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