'Ghana will gain a lot as host' (centre page)

Story: Lucy Adoma Yeboah (January 10, 2008)
THE Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mrs Oboshie Sai-Cofie, has said that Ghana will gain a lot from the opportunity to host the 26th Africa Cup of Nations (Ghana 2008) and that this already makes the country “the winner of the tournament”.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra, Mrs Sai-Cofie stressed that “Ghanaians should recognise the fact that we have already won in prestige, revenue generation, in showcasing our beautiful country and its people; we have won because of the fact that our children will grow to acknowledge that their country is considered important in the global environment”.
She said there was, therefore, no need for any Ghanaian to feel down-hearted because of one reason or another but rather go all out and feel good because the tournament was taking place in Ghana and nowhere else.
The minister said she was aware that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Ghana 2008 was preparing to launch some activities before the start of the tournament but said there was no need for anybody to wait to be organised because there already existed reasons for merrymaking.
The Information Minister advised people to stop complaining that there was no excitement in the air, adding that it was left to individuals and groups to come together to create the needed excitement.
Mrs Sai-Cofie said the government had played its part by providing all the necessary infrastructure for a successful tournament, adding, “It is left to us, as a people, to make the best out of the event.”
The Daily Graphic reported on Saturday, January 5, 2008 that $157.2 million had so far been spent on the rehabilitation and construction of four stadia to host the Ghana 2008 tournament in the country. The amount was said to have exceeded the $152.1 million initially projected by $5.1 million.
The rehabilitated stadia are the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra and the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, while the newly- constructed ones are in Tamale and Sekondi.
Mrs Sai-Cofie stated that it was important for each Ghanaian to feel good, for the reason that for the first in our history the whole football world was going to focus on us, and for a good reason too. She, therefore, urged the people to simply allow the excitement to flow from the innermost parts of their hearts.
She suggested that if for nothing at all, individuals and groups should hang national flags on their property and make the right noises in readiness for the tournament.
On the chances of the national team winning the cup, the Information Minister expressed optimism, but added that the issue was not about winning but the need to look at other opportunities that would come along with the tournament. She urged the private sector to take advantage of the event and generate some revenue through the sale of made-in- Ghana goods and traditional food and provide services to earn some income for the period that the tournament would last.
Mrs Sai-Cofie called for maximum support from the media in the area of continuous programmes on the event to create awareness.