France To Assist Ghana In Hosting CAN 2000

Accra, Ghana (PANA) - The French government has declared its intention to assist Ghana's local organising committee to prepare for the 2000 African Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria late January.

France will support the financing and installation of a digital satellite television transmission facility at the Kumasi Stadium and provide two 35-inch TV sets, large outdoor screens and French/English computer keyboards for the Accra and Kumasi Stadia.

Jean-Michel Benezet, a spokesman for the French foreign ministry, Thursday told the youth and sports minister, E. T. Mensah, that specialists from Canal France Internationale, a French government TV station, would visit Ghana during November to hold discussions on "these issues."

The station will transmit live telecast of the matches.

Benezet, who is a FIFA instructor for coaching courses, also proposed the establishment of an information and cultural centre where information on the tournament, issues concerning Confederation of African Football and national activities, can be obtained.

He said the centre which would also be financed by the French government, would have a Web-site, provide Internet services and evening entertainment and serve as a meeting place for accredited officials, sponsors, invited guests and journalists.

"This would be separate from the media centre but all information would also be provided in both French and English and this would in turn help boost Ghana- French co-operation, cultural exchange and tourism," he added.

Benezet expressed France's desire to sponsor a 10-day seminar for sports administrators and technocrats during the tournament, and help in the re- grassing of the pitches at Ghana's two venues and training fields.