The first of what will be many brainstorming, planning and strategic sessions
ahead of the official release of Ghana's World Cup Planning Committee for
Brazil 2014 has been held behind closed doors in the Ghanaian
capital Accra.
Presiding over the two hour meeting, Minister of Youth and Sports Hon Elvis
Afriyie Ankrah stated that draft plans had already started before Ghana's final
qualification match against Egypt in Cairo.
'' It was not that we were overconfident about qualifying but rather decided
to start our homework very early because June is not as far off as we may think.
The government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports is already on the
ground working just as the Ghana Football Association is also
doing in partnership with our sponsors''.
The Minister cited the all hands on deck approach as the best way
forward. ''For example headline sponsor GNPC are planning a support package to
send the Black Stars’ technical team on a refresher course in England and this
is the sort of cooperation and proactive thinking is the direction we
must all follow''.
In an open and relaxed forum, Brazil's Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Excellency
Irene Vida Gala shared some of the concerns that authorities in Brazil are
anticipating. She stressed that a lot of collaborative work would have to
be done between the two countries for mutual benefit.
'' My Embassy here is ready to help Ghana and also in
Brazil because this World Cup will be very different and special for many
reasons. That is why I am happy to be here to witness and share my ideas at
this meeting''
An impressive and slick power-point presentation by Marketing
consultant Fred Darko, received a good round of applause after which
the vice President of the Ghana Advertisers Association Joel Nettey
intimated that the competition for local and global sponsors would be keen
hence the need to be creative yet robust with the sponsorship and
marketing drive.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Hon. Elizabeth Adjare chipped
in with some valuable inputs as per how Ghana would be marketed beyond just
football.
''The presentation we have watched is very impressive especially the aspect
of taking Ghana to Brazil and also selling our culture, music, food and so on
at the World Cup stage''
Representing the Chief of Staff at the meeting were Hon Kojo Adu Asare
Minister of State at the Presidency, Michael Attipoe from the Commission on
Culture, Charles Opoku Mensah from GIPC, Akosua Abdallah from the National
Theatre and Dr Tony Aubyn who is widely regarded as one of
the men who turned the fortunes of the Black Stars around with the breakthrough
Goldfields sponsorship in 2005.
Dr Aubyn commended all the stakeholders and reiterated the need for
early preparations on and off the field. '' I have been to two previous World
Cups and we have improved steadily but Brazil presents the toughest test yet
that is why this meeting and more to follow will be crucial in how best we
prepare for Brazil 2014''
President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Mr Ackah
Anthony was hopeful that the media's role in Ghana's preparation would be
deeper and even more impactful than the two previous.
Others present at the meeting were: the Chief Director of the Ministry of
Youth and Sports Alhaji Abdulai Yakubu, and representatives from the AGI and
National Security.
The stakeholders will re-convene in the New Year when it is expected that
the full composition of the Ghana World Cup Project Committee would
be announced.
The president of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), Prof.
Francis Dodoo, has urged all junior athletes to use their talents to
further their academic ambitions in order to remain relevant to society
in future.
