"Ghana more than ready to host CAN 2008" - Minister

Accra, July 8, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports says Ghana is more than ready to host the 2008 Africa Nations Cup.

He said basic infrastructure such as roads were being put in place while plans were afoot to upgrade the Accra and Kumasi Sports Stadia and build two new ones in Sekondi-Tarkoradi and Tamale.

The minister, who led Ghana's high-powered delegation three days ahead of the final verdict in the Confederation of Africa Football's (CAF) headquarters in Cairo on Thursday, was reacting to the country's readiness to host the biggest Africa biannual soccer fiesta.

Ghana beat Libya, her sole rival with a vote difference of six (9-3) and while the Ghanaians burst into a jubilant mood, the Libyans walked out and refused to speak with the media.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said a lot had been learnt from the Accra Sports Stadium May 9 tragedy where 127 soccer fans died in a stampede, saying that security was high on the country's agenda.

Ghana hosted the CAN in 1963, 1978 and co-hosted with neighbours Nigeria in 2000.

Apart of 2000 tournament where Ghana was bundled out in the quarterfinals by South Africa, Ghana had won others as hosts.