Five of Ghana’s most celebrated football figures have been honoured for the contribution they made to the country’s sporting history at a tribute dinner in Accra.
Rev. Osei Kofi, Ibrahim Sunday, Mohammed Ahmed “Polo”, Nii Odartey Lamptey and Daniel Quaye were recognised at the BRUHM Honours Legends Dinner, held at the Alisa Hotel in North Ridge on Friday night.
The former players’ careers include Africa Cup of Nations success, continental club honours, FIFA youth achievements, World Cup appearances and individual awards.
The ceremony was attended by sports administrators, government representatives, corporate executives, former football personalities and members of the media. It focused on the achievements, challenges and sacrifices that shaped the careers of the five honourees.
The dinner marked the conclusion of the nationwide BRUHM Honours Legends campaign, which revisited the players’ careers through documentary films, digital storytelling and public engagement.
The initiative was designed to encourage Ghanaians to reconnect with a generation of footballers who helped build the country’s reputation on the international stage. It also placed particular emphasis on celebrating the legends while they are still able to see their achievements recognised.
Documentaries and personal accounts explored the demanding paths taken by the five players, including the discipline required to succeed and the pressure of representing Ghana at major competitions.
Their stories received prolonged standing ovations from guests, reflecting the strong bond between the former players and the generations of supporters who watched them during their careers.
Although Rev. Osei Kofi, Ibrahim Sunday, Mohammed Ahmed “Polo”, Nii Odartey Lamptey and Daniel Quaye represented different periods in Ghanaian football, their careers were linked by their involvement in moments that became part of the nation’s sporting memory.
The event also highlighted the importance of preserving Ghanaian football history at a time when much of the attention on the sport is directed towards the current generation of players.
Speaking for BRUHM, Awurakua Antwi, Marketing Manager for BRUHM Ghana and Somotex Ghana Limited, said the five former players formed part of a wider national story.
“For years, BRUHM has been privileged to be part of Ghanaian homes, where families gather, meals are shared and lifelong memories are made. Just as BRUHM has become a trusted companion in homes across the country, these football legends have become part of our nation’s story. Through BRUHM Honours Legends, we celebrate not only their extraordinary achievements on the pitch but also the lasting impact they have had on generations of Ghanaians. Honouring these legends is our way of celebrating the people whose journeys created memories that continue to unite families and inspire the nation.”
Veronica Commey, Deputy Director-General of the National Sports Authority, welcomed the decision to recognise the players during their lifetimes.
“As someone who believes strongly in giving people their flowers while they can still smell them, I commend BRUHM for making this possible,” she said.
She also called for further initiatives to honour sporting pioneers and pass their contributions on to younger generations.
A specially created Legends Wall formed part of the evening. It featured photographs, career milestones and defining moments from the lives of the five honourees.
Football memories in Ghana have often extended beyond the stadium, with major victories shared in homes, compounds, viewing centres and communities. Those occasions have helped connect generations of supporters.
That relationship between football and everyday life was central to the BRUHM campaign, which aimed to put the personalities behind those memories at the centre of the celebrations.
Other speakers included Somotex Ghana Limited General Manager and Business Head Shivesh Srivastava, BRUHM Global Head of Marketing Roshanak Taheri and former GUTA president Dr Joseph Obeng. They also praised the five legends and the campaign.
The evening included cultural performances by Ayital Cultural Agency and a musical presentation by Rama Black.
For the honourees, the most significant aspect of the event was the public acknowledgement that their achievements remain part of Ghanaian football history.
The BRUHM Honours Legends campaign therefore concluded as more than a corporate event. It served as a tribute to a generation of players whose performances created memories that continue to resonate with supporters across Ghana.
