Ghanaian journalist refused access to Athletes

With just four days to the end of the Athens Games, the two accredited Ghanaian journalists are still waiting to have the chance to talk to the Ghanaian athletes in the Games Village.

The two visited the Village last Tuesday in the hope that their names had finally been submitted to the Guest Pass Desk to enable them to enter the Village.


The shock in store for them was a short statement by the lady at the desk: ?I?m sorry your chef de mission has not submitted your names, so you can?t go in as guests.?


When the journalist called the Village earlier on Monday, a lady, who identified herself simply as a physiotherapist, gave a hint as to why the Ghanaian Village had become a no-go zone for the two journalists.

The lady, who refused to mention her name, although the journalist who called mentioned his, said she was very reluctant to talk to them because some information had filtered out of the camp to Ghana.


She couldn?t tell the whereabouts of the Ghanaian officials at the Village.


In a related development, journalists from other countries have complained about the wall of secrecy around the Ghana village in the last few days, especially after the elimination of the nation?s top athletes. Calls to the Village are either unanswered, or the phones are switched off.