The government has assured Ghanaians and for that matter foodball enthusiasts that Ghana stands a better chance of winning the bid for CAN 2008 among its competitors. Countries competing with Ghana are Algeria, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Ethiopia.
Mr. Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports said in Accra on Tuesday that the government has put up measures and strategies that would pave the way for the country to host the African Cup of Nations come 2008.
He said President J.A. Kufuor is all committed to ensuring that Ghana gets the nod to host the tournament. "With the arrangement we are going through, we will secure it", he emphasized calling on all to put in a concerted effort.
He was speaking at a pre-inauguration meeting with personalities from both the private and public sectors, which constitute the CAN 2008 Ghana Bid Committee:
Sub-Committees at the Presidential Lounge of the Accra Sports Stadium in the evening. He said the meeting would afford committee' members the opportunity to know themselves and put together ideas prior to the inauguration.
The minister said as part of the preparatory arrangements, plans are far advanced to construct two stadia in addition to the Kumasi and Accra ones. The two stadia would be located at Tamale in the Northern region and Sekondi in the Western region respectively.
Putting more smiles on the faces of Ghanaians, Mr. Baah Wiredu said Tunisia and Egypt both from Northern Africa held the cup of nations in 2004 and 2006 respectively. He noted the possibility of the nations' cup, not being hosted in a country from the same part of the continent is very high.
Ghana's main challenger, Algeria who also stands equal chance of winning the bid, would not be the suitable choice in the sense that after the just ended all African Games in Abuja-Nigeria, Algeria won the bid to host the next all African Games in 2007, making it impossible for the same country to host CAN 2008.
Mr. Baah Wiredu, urged the committees to bring out modalities that would ensure the success of the bid and the tournament in general.
He brought to the attention of the committees the numerous complaints sports men and women lodged at his offices and called for a better infrastructure to be put in place. The minister announced that the President of CAF, Issah Hayatou, would visit Ghana in a week's time or so.
He called on the committee to utilize the opportunity to advance the country's chances of winning the bid. Mr. Joe Aggrey, Deputy Minister of Education Youth and Sport, appealed to members of the committees to ensure that everything ends in success.
He said to achieve their aim, the sub-committee has been divided into eight parts:
(1)International Relations/Local lobbying
(2)Venues Development/Security/Medical
(3) Public /Media Relations/Marketing &Advertising
(4) Transportation/Communications
(5)Hospitality/Accommodation/Protocol
(6) Finance/Legal
(7) Team 2008 Facilitation
(8) Incentives and Sponsorship.
