Congressman Brendan Boyle Honors Ghana Black Stars and GHPAC During Philadelphia World Cup Trade Forum

The Ghana Diaspora Public Affairs Collective (GHPAC), in collaboration with the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, World Trade Center Pittsburgh, and the U.S.-Africa Trade Alliance, successfully convened GHPAC Global Pitch Philadelphia: The Next Atlantic Economy, bringing together government officials, business executives, trade organizations, investors, and diaspora leaders to strengthen trade and investment partnerships between Philadelphia and Africa.

The proclamation honoring the Ghana Black Stars was presented by Congressman Boyle's office to Ghana Football Association Vice President Mark Addo, recognizing the team for representing Ghana with excellence on football's biggest stage and for advancing the spirit of the FIFA World Cup through international friendship, cultural exchange, and people-to-people diplomacy. The proclamation also recognized the Black Stars' visit to Philadelphia for energizing the city's vibrant Ghanaian American community and strengthening the enduring ties between Ghana and the United States through sport.

Congressman Boyle's office also presented a Congressional Proclamation to GHPAC in recognition of its leadership in convening Global Pitch Philadelphia: The Next Atlantic Economy, a first-of-its-kind forum that leveraged the World Cup as a platform for economic diplomacy and commercial engagement.

Held at the PHMC Building in Center City Philadelphia, the forum brought together elected officials, business executives, trade organizations, and representatives from the Government of Ghana to explore new opportunities in trade, exports, logistics, investment, manufacturing, and diaspora entrepreneurship between Pennsylvania and Ghana.

"This recognition reflects a larger vision for what the World Cup can mean," said Adjoa Kyerematen, Founder and President of GHPAC. "The Black Stars brought pride, excitement, and cultural celebration to Philadelphia. Our goal was to build on that momentum by creating meaningful connections between government leaders, businesses, and the Ghanaian diaspora that will continue long after the final whistle."

The forum featured remarks and participation from Congressman Brendan Boyle, Pennsylvania State Senator Sharif Street, H.E. Ambassador Victor Emmanuel Smith, Thomas Young, President and CEO of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, representatives from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the Ghana Free Zones Authority, the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C., World Trade Center Pittsburgh, the U.S.-Africa Trade Alliance, and business leaders from both Ghana and Pennsylvania.

Organized by GHPAC in collaboration with the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, the forum underscored how Philadelphia's role as a FIFA World Cup Host City can also serve as a catalyst for expanding international trade, attracting investment, and strengthening commercial partnerships between Pennsylvania and Africa.

The event is part of GHPAC's broader Global Pitch initiative, which has organized trade forums, networking events, and World Cup activations across multiple U.S. host cities to showcase the role of the Ghanaian diaspora in advancing economic development, public diplomacy, and international collaboration.

About GHPAC

The Ghana Diaspora Public Affairs Collective (GHPAC) is the largest Ghanaian diaspora organization in the United States, dedicated to strengthening civic engagement, economic opportunity, business development, and strategic partnerships between Ghana, the United States, and the global Ghanaian diaspora. Through its Global Pitch initiative, GHPAC is leveraging the 2026 FIFA World Cup to connect sport, commerce, and diplomacy in ways that create lasting economic opportunities for both nations.