Outgoing Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Benin and Togo, Simone Giger, has highlighted Ghanaian goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi as an example of the country’s growing soft power and international influence.
According to her, Ghana has significant potential to project its image globally through the achievements of its musicians, artists, and sports personalities who continue to gain recognition abroad.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, July 9, Ambassador Giger said Ghana’s creative industry and talents across different fields could become powerful tools for promoting the country’s global identity.
“What is going on in the music industry, in the visual arts, all that, like the soft power that Ghana could have internationally, if you were able to leverage that,” she said.
She pointed to Ati-Zigi, who plays for Swiss Super League club FC St. Gallen, as one Ghanaian who has become a household name in Switzerland.
“He’s like a superstar. He cannot walk on the street in Switzerland. I swear to God, you have all the kids running after him. He’s a superstar,” she said.
Ati-Zigi’s football journey began in Adabraka in Accra before moving to the international stage. He was part of the Black Stars team that crashed out of the World Cup at Round of 32 stage to Columbia.
