IOC to lift Ghana suspension after new sports law is passed

Ghana is a step away from rejoining the International Olympics Movement following what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) describes as the “considerable progress” that has been made towards amending the country’s sports legislation.

The IOC suspended Ghana because of concerns with the country’s sports law, which it did not find compatible with the principles and rules of the Olympic Charter.

In a communiqué after a meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland between the IOC, the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and Government, the IOC said in recognition of the progress made, the IOC Executive Board would consider the lifting of the suspension following the passage by Parliament of the new Sports Legislative Instrument that will replace LI 1088.

This is expected to take place in Durban South Africa in July. Sports Minister Clement Humado, who was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Valerie Sawyerr to the Lausanne meeting, says Parliament is expected to adopt the new legislation by the 6th of July this year.

It was agreed during the meeting on June 24, 2011, which was also attended by a GOC team led by Benson T. Baba, that the GOC would immediately initiate the various preparatory processes that will culminate in the holding of the elections to ensure that elections are held as soon as possible after the suspension is lifted.

“Once the suspension of the GOC is lifted by the IOC Executive Board, the GOC shall immediately take all necessary steps to convene its elective General Assembly as soon as possible”, the communiqué noted.

The IOC will supervise the process, according to the Communiqué, with all parties agreeing to “work together in a constructive matter in order to benefit sports and the athletes of Ghana”.

Ghana was suspended in January this year by the IOC Executive Board because of what it said was a lack of commitment to revising the sports legislation in Ghana before the end of 2010.