"Lets keep city clean during Ghana 2008 - Adjiri-Blankson

Accra, Sept. 8, GNA - Stanley Nii Adjiri-Blankson, Metropolitan Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has appealed to Ghanaians to engage in activities to keep the city clean as the nation plays host to next year's Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana 2008. He said this would make Ghana a memorable place for the over one million visitors expected in the country during the January 20 - February 10, 2008 championships.

Mr Adjiri-Blankson said this during the Accra-version of the Ghana 2008 Road Show held at the Holy Gardens, Kwame Nkrumah Circle on Saturday.

The Accra Mayor said that it behoves on citizens to play their role by keeping their surroundings clean before and during the month-long festival as the Local Organising Committee plays its part towards a successful event.

Mr Adjiri-Blankson gave the assurance that his outfit will do everything possible to make sure Accra and its environs are kept clean during the competition and envisaged that similar exercises would be replicated at the three other venues of Kumasi, Sekondi and Tamale. Mr George Andah, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, the title sponsors for the 26th edition of the continent's showpiece also assured of his outfit's commitment to support next year's event in the company's quest to host the best ever event in the 50-year history of the tournament. He said that the cellular company's passion and appetite for football has led to the creation of the first ever Pan-African football website, www.mtnfootball.com, to update the media and fans with regards to latest information among others about the world's most popular sport. Mr Andah revealed that MTN has acquired the global sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which makes them the first African company to be a sponsor of the quadrennial tourney, which will be held for the first time on African soil.

The MTN Chief Marketing Officer outlined the introduction of added services to subscribers during the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations to include accessing pictures of matches, downloading of goals, special moments and clips of matches.

At the well-attended event were the Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Osei Bonsu Amoah and members of the Accra Venue Organising Committee amongst others dignitaries, the original trophy to be competed for during the competition was displayed to the members of the public who thronged the Holy Gardens.

The event was preceded by a float through some principal streets within the capital city led by some past national football stars including Anthony Baffoe, Rev. Osei Kofi, Rev. Kofi Pare and Mohammed Polo.

MTN Music Ambassador, Batman Samini and Slim Buster thrilled the patrons and soccer public with some of the musical entertainment during the event,.

The Road Show was organised by the LOC in collaboration with AMA to heighten euphoria of the tournament's social and commercial benefits.