MPs Hold Jama Session Ahead of Black Stars World Cup Opener Against Panama

Ghana’s Parliament set aside partisan divisions on Wednesday as Members of Parliament from both sides of the House gathered in a spirited jama-style session at Parliament House, singing, chanting, and waving national flags ahead of the Black Stars’ opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Panama in Toronto.

Lawmakers arrived wearing Ghana jerseys and draped the national colours around their necks, transforming the corridors of the legislature into something closer to a supporters’ park than a seat of government. The atmosphere was festive, with MPs exchanging banter, joining in songs, and expressing confidence that the Black Stars would deliver a strong performance in their first group-stage fixture.

The display was remarkable less for its exuberance than for its bipartisan character. In a Parliament that has spent much of the current session locked in sharp partisan confrontation, the jama session offered a rare moment of genuine unity, with members of the governing National Democratic Congress and the opposition New Patriotic Party setting aside their differences to rally behind a common cause.

The parliamentary show of support came as excitement continued to build across the country, with fans, traders, and public figures joining in a wave of national anticipation. Ghanaians from all walks of life have made clear that nothing less than victory will satisfy as the Black Stars begin their World Cup campaign, and the mood inside Parliament reflected that expectation.

The stakes could hardly be higher. Ghana’s opening fixture against Panama, the first-ever meeting between the two nations at a World Cup, is widely regarded as a must-win match if the Black Stars are to have any realistic hope of progressing from their group. Football analyst Nana Agyemang has urged the team to adopt a cautious, disciplined approach, warning that overconfidence against a well-organised Panamanian side could prove costly.

The absence of Thomas Partey, whose visa denial has overshadowed the team’s build-up, has added an element of uncertainty to Ghana’s preparations. The matter has become a national talking point, with Berekum West MP raising concerns in Parliament about the diplomatic failure and calling for greater effort to prevent such incidents in future tournaments.

Yet on Wednesday, none of that seemed to matter. The jama session was about belief, about projecting confidence, and about reminding the country that whatever Parliament’s many failings, its members are capable of coming together when the national mood demands it.

Whether the Black Stars can match the optimism of their parliamentary supporters remains to be seen. But for one afternoon at least, the divisions that normally define Ghana’s legislature gave way to something simpler: a shared hope that the team in Toronto would make the nation proud.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE