Accra, July 6, GNA - Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Clement Kofi Humado on Tuesday announced that Ghana's suspension from the Olympics would soon en= d as the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meet in South Africa to decide the fate of Ghana.
Mr Humado said the outcome of the meeting was positive since the Sport= s Bill would
soon come to Parliament after a few corrections have been rectified, adding that the adoption of the Report would be the final requirement for the lifting of the
ban on Ghana. The Minister said this when read the motion for the adoption of the Report of
Committee for Subsidiary Legislation on the Subsidiary Legislation on Sport= s Regulation
2011. Ghana on the January 13, 2011 was ostracized from the International Olympic
Committee for its inability to reform its laws in accordance to international practice. He thanked Ghanaians and the sporting public for their support during the period of
suspension. Contributing to the adoption of the Report, Mr Isaac Esiamah NPP Membe= r for
Atwima Mponua said many sporting talents abound in Ghana and that the ban o= n Ghana
was a big blow to the developing of such budding talents. "It should be a big lesson to all that government involvement in spo= rts has limitation,"
he said, adding that Ghana's image was dented as a result. He called on the Minister and all Ghanaians to protect the sanctity of Ghanaian sports. Mr Stephen M. Ackah, NDC Member for Suaman and Chairman of the Youth and
Sports Committee said the adoption of the Regulation would serve as a catalyst for the
lifting of the ban on Ghana. He noted that Ghana must conform to the rules and regulations of the international
organizations to avoid such occurrences in the future. Papa Owusu Ankomah, NPP Member for Sekondi expressed surprise that the Sports
Bill has not been passed over a long period. He said the Bill, according to the experts was on of the best across the world and
called on the government to demonstrate much commitment to sports by passin= g it with
haste. Papa Ankomah said he has confidence in the capabilities of the Sports Minister but
urged him to be fast in seeing to the passage of the Bill in good time. Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, Chairman of the Committee for Subsidiary Legislation said
the Committee was pleased with the effort of the Minister in taking off the yoke of
suspension from Ghana after the directive from the IOC. He said the new Regulation provided for an independent and democratic administration
of a sports association in line with the Olympic Charter governing the Olympic Movement. The Chairman said the instrument would also enhance transparency and accountability
in sports administration in Ghana. "The instrument requires sports associations which receive funds fro= m government to
render proper account to the National Sports Authority at a specified time and in a manner
to be determined by the Authority," he said. Mr Osei-Prempeh explained that this would promote accountability and also ensure
efficient utilization of state resources necessary for the development of sports in the
country. n
