GHANA says the hosting of the 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament will boost the country’s economy, hence the country’s decision to bid for the hosting rights.
This follows concerns expressed by many Ghanaians that the hosting of the tournament would further compound the country’s economic woes.
Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mahama Ayariga who set up an 11-member committee recently to the West African country to bid for the 2017 AFCON rights, assured that after hosting the 2008 AFCON, the country’s stadia were still in good shape to the 2017 one.
He stated “the reconstruction of existing stadia for the 2008 AFCON was a major reconstruction so a lot of money went into it but the current rehabilitation doesn’t really require significant amounts of investments so Ghanaians should be rest assured that not that much investment will go into rehabilitating the stadia.”
Ayariga insisted that in terms of infrastructure, “we are okay. There isn’t much investments that need to go from government to host the tournament.”
He was certain that corporate Ghana will pitch in to help since ultimately, they will be beneficiaries if Ghana wins the bid.
“Hotels will make money, businesses will make money foreigners will come into this country with foreign exchange so overall, we stand to benefit from investments that we made in the past and the little that we need to add this time will derive the benefits,” he assured.
Meanwhile, the minister has appointed former Black Stars captain Abedi Pele and 10 other seasoned administrators to lead the country’s bid to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
The committee will be supported by six football ambassadors.
The Committee members are; Ernest Thompson, the Chairman, who also doubles as the Director of SSNIT, Abedi Pele, the vice Chairman, Fred Crentsil – GFA Vice President, Randy Abbey, Herbert Mensah (Football Administrator and businessman), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, Lepowura MND Jawula, Nana Sam Brew Butler (All former GFA Chairmen), Alex Mould (CEO of GNPC), Rex Danquah, the secretary, who also doubles as a Consultant and Sports Expert and Alhaji Abdulai Yakubu, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports).
The Ambassadors are ex-Black Stars players Stephen Appiah, Tony Yeboah Tony Baffoe, Ibrahim Sunday, Abdul Razak and former WBC Featherweight champion, Azumah Nelson.
Abedi Pele was a key member of the South African bid team that ensured that country got the bid to host the 2010 World Cup.
African Eye News
