Following Ghana’s qualification to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals in Brazil, the country's Youth and Sports Minister has written separately to football's world governing body FIFA and the Egyptian Football Association praising the efforts and meticulous attention paid to security concerns by the Egyptian government and Football Authorities.
In the letter to FIFA, Hon Elvis Afriyie Ankrah stated, ''Our genuine concerns about security in Cairo were addressed methodically and surgically by our hosts in Egypt thanks to the collaboration with the Ghana Football Association, FIFA as well as Egyptian and Ghanaian state security.
The five paragraph letter to FIFA Gen Secretary Jerome Valcke states; ''It must be put on record that the authorities in Egypt provided top class security and protocol to ensure the comfort of the entire contingent from Ghana''.
Prior to the second leg World Cup encounter, Ghana’s FA wrote to FIFA requesting a change in venue, raising ''genuine security concerns'' as the principle factor for the request. FIFA quickly responded by allaying the fears of the West Africans and confirming Cairo as the venue based on assurances made by the Egyptians.
However, not entirely satisfied with the ''assurances'' the Ghanaians through President Mahama and football icon Abedi Ayew Pele pushed for further clarification and followed up with a letter from the Sports Minister to FIFA demanding a face to face meeting with FIFA President Joseph Blatter.
A series of meetings were then held between FIFA, Ghana and the Egyptian authorities to re-assure Ghanaians of the security measures put in place for the clash and to seek clarity on guarantees of safety for players, officials, supporters and the media who were to travel to the troubled North African state.
The first meeting held in the Togolese capital Lome, was attended by a powerful Ghana delegation led by Ghana's Sports Minister, FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi and Abedi Pele while FIFA was represented by General Secretary Jerome Valcke and Director of National Associations and Development at FIFA, Thierry Reginals.
In summary, Hon Afriyie Ankrah commended all stakeholders; ''True to their word, Egyptian authorities provided adequate security for our team, officials, media and supporters who made the trip to Cairo before, during and after the match with no incidents recorded''.
Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah concluded that in the same manner with which the joint efforts to guarantee safety were directed, it must be made clear that all stakeholders contributed in ensuring a successful second leg.
'' On behalf of His Excellency President Mahama, the GFA and the people of Ghana, I wish to thank the Egyptian FA and FIFA for safeguarding the good of the beautiful game at all times and keeping their promise of ensuring the safety of team Ghana before, during and after the match''
Perhaps the biggest cheer would go to Ghana's Ambassador to Egypt, H.E Alhaji Said Sinare, who coordinated the logistics and movements that secured the wellbeing of the team during their stay in Egypt.
Meanwhile a Ghanaian contingent led by the Chief of Staff Hon. Prosper Bani are in Salvador, Brazil, to witness the final draw for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup scheduled for the plush Costa do Saiupe Hotel on Friday 6th December.
