Dodoo calls for the intervention of IOC

Accra, Oct. 11, GNA - President of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) and an aspirant to the presidency of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) Professor Francis Dodoo, has called for an intervention by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to avert a seemingly looming trouble ahead of the October 29 elections in the country.

Prof. Dodoo told the GNA Sports in Accra that the Election Guidelines drawn by the present Executive Board of the GOC was clearly a violation of the constitution and cannot be used for the elections on October 29.

According to Prof. Dodoo, the looming trouble ahead of the elections would be a test for the democratic credentials of the IOC. "The stage is set for the IOC to demonstrate to all that they believe in democracy as they have done since this feud started. "They must as a matter of urgency step in to examine the guidelines in order to establish whether they are in tune with the GOC's constitution and the Olympic Charter". He stated. The Athletics President alleged that the guidelines are targeted at preventing members of the present Associations and Federations from participating in the elections and to keep members of the present executives in office.

Prof. Dodoo added that the election procedure which required candidates to be vetted before the elections was strange to the elections culture of the GOC.

The former national Triple Jumper described the procedure not only cumbersome but also aimed at eliminating members of the present Associations and Federations from participating in the elections. Prof. Dodoo who doubles as a Board Member of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) also raised reservations about one of the guidelines, which states that; 93No candidate shall hold any office in a Political Party or any organization established for political purpose".

The GAA boss noted that he holds no political office but wonders why the Benson Tongo Baba led administration had fashioned out such guidelines aimed at frustrating aspirants to contribute to sports development in the country.

There are strong indications that the GOC elections on October 29 may run into trouble for the second time as the Election Guidelines have been rejected by members of the present Associations and Federations.