Vice President to lead Queen’s baton relay

Vice President, His Excellency Kwesi Amissah-Arthur will kick-start the 2014 Commonwealth Games Queen’s relay baton when Accra takes its turn to play host to the 71 country-touring event on Saturday January 4 2014 and the following day in the Volta Region, Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah disclosed at a swiftly organized press conference at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Queen Elizabeth II, head of the British Empire launched the 2014 relay baton back on October 9 at the Buckingham Palace ahead of next July’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. The baton contains the Queen's hand-written message to the Commonwealth and will visit all competing nations and territories for 288 days.

The baton which's journey will end at the opening ceremony on 23 July 2014, when the Queen will read the message inside is currently in Sierra Leone ahead of its arrival in Ghana, its second African destination on the evening of Friday January 3rd.

“In certain countries, the relay baton is a huge event and sometimes the whole country comes to a standstill. We thank all the dignitaries and heads of companies who have all agreed to be part of Ghana’s hosting of the baton. Let everybody come and share because unlike the World Cup, everybody can touch it,” Hon. Afriyie Ankrah said at after personally taking journalists through the extensive routes the baton relay will travel in the Ghana capital.

His Excellency Mr. Amissah-Arthur who is acting as President in the holidaying absence of President Mahama, is expected to officially welcome the baton to the country at the Flagstaff House before beginning the relay in Ghana by running with it through the ceremonial gates of the seat of government before handing it over to the Chief of Staff, Prosper Bani and his deputy.

Sports Minister, Hon. Afriyie Ankrah of course, Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President, Prof. Francis Dodoo, GOC Chef de Mission Ben Nunoo Mensah, the Minister of Information and Director General of GTV, Maj (rtd) Don Chebe are expected to take over the baton in that order as the relay takes to the streets of Accra.

Dignitaries also lined up to access, run with and handover the baton on routes throughout Accra include the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Peter Jones, Indian High Commissioner, Jeeva Sargar, IGP Mohammed Alhassan, Chief Justice Georgina Wood, Speaker of Parliament, Doe Adjaho, Chief of Defence Staff, national security chief, Lt. Col. Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, former national security advisor, Brig Gen, Nunoo Mensah Commodore Obimpeh,as well as traditional leaders Nii Adote din Barimah I, Nii Ayibonte (Nii Gbese) and the Chief Fisherman.

Ministers of State won’t be left out as Hannah Tetteh, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, Dr. Omane Boamah, Mark Woyongo, Haruna Iddrissu, Fritz Baffour, Nii Lante Vanderpuije, Nana Oye Lithur, Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare as well as Bank of Ghana Governor, Mr. Awampah and Accra Mayor, Oko Vanderpuye have all confirmed participation in the baton relay.

MDs and CEOs of some of Ghana’s biggest companies are also due to handle and pass on the baton including Prince Kofi Amoabeng (UT Bank), Sekyere Abankwah (Prudential Bank), Tony Lithur (Ghana Airport Company), Girish Sharma (Indomie), Charles Darko (Tullow), Kwame Despite (UTV), Maxwell Techie (Techno Mobile), Richard Amamoo (GHAPOHA), Kweku Bedu Addo (Stanchart Bank), Simon Dornoo (GCB), Charles Boateng (Cadbury), Patience Akyianu (Barclays) and Fred Osoro (Vivo Energy).

Aside current athletes, ex-sports and music stars as Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Stephen Appiah, Amakye Dede, Shatta Wale, Adwoa Smart among others will also join in along the various routes which will span from the Flagstaff House across town to Tetteh Quarshie roundabout to Lapaz to Kwashieman to Dansoman through James Town to Osu before touching down at Parliament House.

With the support of Majority Leader, Hon. Benjamin Kumbuor and Minority Leader, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, the Speaker, Hon. Doe Adjaho will address the media before finally handing the baton over to GOC Vice President, Madam Deborah Cubagee who will then lead the convoy back to the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel where the Accra relay ends.

On the following day, Sunday January 5 2014, the relay baton then heads to the Volta Region where after many stops on the way, Togbe Afede is expected to lead a welcome party in Ho to climax the Ghana leg of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Queen’s baton relay.