About 16,000 accredited media personnel globally are expected to provide coverage for the 26th MTN Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana 2008.

The expected figure represents over 50 percent improvement of the 9000, who stormed Egypt for the continental showpiece in 2006.

Magnus Rex Danquah says the figure confirms the LOC’s quest to make the January 20 – February 10, championship the benchmark for African football. He said accommodation and other logistical demands have been put in place for the media to enjoy the best working facilities during the three-week event. In line with these, the Kofi Annan Centre for Information Communication Technology (ICT) will serve as the main media centre for the tournament and that of the Accra venue.

Additional media centres will be located in all the four stadia to be used for the tournament. Twice the 500,000 visitors who were in Egypt during the last edition are expected in Ghana for next year’s event.

The competition will also receive the biggest viewership ever in the history of the competition, with an estimated 4.2 billion viewers world wide.