Seven arrested for illegal sale of Ghana 2008 merchandise

Accra, Aug 15, GNA- The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Ghana 2008 in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service on Tuesday swooped on illegal manufacturers and sellers of merchandise bearing the logo of the African Cup of Nations and arrested seven persons at various locations in Accra.

The items seized included T' shirts, scarves and key rings embossed with the Ghana 2008 logo in the operation conducted at Osu, Makola and Tudu which is targeted at checking the unbridled production and sale of the tournament-related merchandise. Similar operations had already been carried out in Tamale and Kumasi and the exercise will be intensified in the build up to the tournament.

Magnus Rex Danquah, Chief Operating Officer of the LOC told GNA Sports that the culprits will be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to those who want to profit from the tournament without first securing the requisite license and rights.

He reiterated the LOC's 'Zero Tolerance' policy against all forms of ambush marketing and warned the public about the illegal aspect of publishing any insignia related to the Nations Cup. "The operation will be sustained in order to protect stakeholders who have committed funds into organizing the tourney." The LOC has already formed an alliance with the Customs, Excise and Preventive Services (CEPS) and other security agencies to stop the contravention of the marketing rights of the organizers of the tournament.

The LOC is also working closely with the Police and other law enforcement agencies to seek out all illegal manufacturers and importers of items connected to the tournament, and those who put them out for sale, as well as vendors and hawkers engaged in their trading for prosecution by the courts of law. "Organisers of the tournament, both the LOC and CAF, have the right to confiscate all such items that have been branded with the name, the logo, the mascot, and other images of the tournament, including the trophy, which are all registered trademarks of the organizers".