The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Evans Opoku Bobie says the government is committed to hosting the African Games next year.
According to the Minister, government was prepared to provide all resources to ensure a successful hosting of the over 54 countries that would be in the country for the competition.
The Deputy Minister gave the assurance in a recent interview in Accra.
It came in the wake of concerns from Ghanaians including former President, John Mahama who suggested that Ghana should pull out if it was not too late due to the harsh economic crises in the country.
The former President advised Ghana to pull out and direct the funds to other areas that could help transform the economy or save the country from further financial distress.
Also, with the Games scheduled for August next year, concerns have also been expressed over Ghana’s readiness with regard to the provision of infrastructure.
But My Opoku Bobie said government was aware of the challenges as well as the huge number of people coming into the country and the benefits Ghana could reap from hosting the Games. We’ll not renege on our commitment to host the Games,” he stated.
According to the Deputy Minister, the country would rather benefit economically by hosting the Africa Games.
“We know the investment opportunities that would come with the Games hosting. The hotels are going to make a lot of profitbigger than the African Cup of Nations,” he stated.
“We all saw how Birmingham or the UK made huge money from the just-ended Commonwealth Games. The African Games is going to affect all aspects of our lives within the three weeks,” he added.
The African Games, he said, was also in line with the President’s vision to ensure that Ghana became the first country in West Africa to have the University for Sports Development.
He called on the public to trust in the government and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to deliver a memorable African Games next year.
BY MICHAEL D.ABAYATEYE