GHANA will not host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, the Minister of Sports Mahama Ayariga has revealed.
This follows a massive campaign by some Ghanaians against government’s consideration of hosting the tournament after the Confederation of African Football (CAF), put Ghana on standby.
Original hosts, Morocco had requested for CAF to postpone the tournament because of the possible outbreak of the deadly Ebola disease, causing CAF to put Ghana, South Africa on standby.
But after several considerations by authorities in the health sector, Ghana has decided not to host the tournament and this has been communicated to the Ghana Football Association, according to the Minister.
“On the issue of the tournament, the FA president came to brief me on their discussions and we have indicated to him that from the representation that we have received from the people in the health sector it doesn’t look Ghana is in the position to accept hosting the tournament and I think he has since conveyed this message to CAF,” Mr. Ayariga told Joy News.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) kicked against attempts by CAF to get Ghana host the tournament.
Deputy General Secretary of the GMA, Dr. Justice Yankson, said it will be risky for the government to accept the request from CAF.
“If people are going to be here for more than or close to a month, some could come in at a point where they do not have a full blown infection or are not exhibiting the symptoms. but the symptoms could come in after they have already entered the country. that is something we need to think about. Before we take a final decision we really need to sit down and do our homework well,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CAF has unanimously agreed to keep the original AFCON tournament dates, despite worries about a possible out of the deadly Ebola disease.
Ebola has killed nearly 5,000 people since its outbreak, especially in three West African countries; Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Citifmonline/African Eye News.com
