Accra, June 29, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Thursday launched a book to celebrate the heroic performance of the national team, the Black Stars at their maiden appearance at the FIFA World Cup in Germany in 2006.

The Black Stars reached the last sixteen of last year 's event becoming the only African side to have reached that far before bowing out to Brazil 0-3.

The 120-page digitally designed book titled "Pride and Glory - The story of the Black Stars in Germany 2006", is comprises memoirs of the performance of the Stars in Germany and was made possible by four seasoned sports journalists - Mr Joe Aggrey, Mr Ken Bediako, Mr Ebo Quansah and Mr Felix Abayateye, and was edited by Mr Kwesi Gyan Appenteng, also a journalist and a media consultant.

Alhaji Aliu who was the Special Guest of Honour for the occasion recalled how the performance of the Black Stars brought a unified atmosphere to the country and ensured joy and pride to all Ghanaians. He said the effect of the success of the Stars on the people was astonishing describing the team's performance as a success story by all standards.

"The spirit among Ghanaians during the World Cup was Ghana first and other things secondary."

Alhaji Aliu described the 'collective pride' during the World Cup as palpable and commended the writers of the book for such a wonderful collection that sets to keep the historic moments of the Black Stars in a documented form.

Dr. Kofi Amoah, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for Ghana 2008, who chaired the occasion said the performance of the Black Stars at the World Cup was a milestone in changing the fortunes of the country and its people through the game of soccer.

He congratulated the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for the feat of the Stars while lauding the idea to document the sterling performance of the team.

Mr Gyan-Appteng, editor of the book described the performance of the Stars at the World Cup as the most interesting two weeks of his life adding that he therefore felt he would not let such an opportunity go off without documenting it.

This dream, he said was made possible after consultations with four of his colleagues.

Dr Amoah bought the first copy of the book for 20 million cedis, with an auction at the launch yielding about 60 million cedis.