Preparations for Sports Ministers Conference

Accra, Sept 24, GNA - A three-member team from the African Union (AU) will arrive in the country to finalize preparations for next month's Second Session of the Conference of Ministers of Sports in Africa.

The team which is made up of Ms. Magano Neri, Special Assistant to the AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, Mr Stephen Ahmodu in charge of Protocol and Mr Hamid Ibrahim in charge of Conferences, will assess Ghana's readiness to host the five-day event slated for October 10 to 14 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Dr Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, Director of Sports Development at the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports in a release copied to GNA Sports said the team will inspect conference facilities, equipment and ascertain the suitability of hotel accommodation for the about 350 participants during their three-day tour which ends on Friday, September 26.

He said the conference under the theme "Harmonizing and Coordinating Sport Policies for Sustainable Development" will deliberate on issues including the Draft Sports Policy framework for Africa and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Africa Legacy Project. The event to be held under the joint auspices of the Commission of Africa Union and the Government of Ghana will be graced by AU Ministers of Sports, Government officials, Regional Economic Communities' delegates, representatives of Continental Africa sports movements, United Nations (UN) agencies, International Organizations and Civil Society Organizations.

The first maiden edition was held in Ethiopia last year with Ghana appointed as the chair.