The chief operating officer of the Local Organizing Committee of the 26 African Cup of Nations (CAN 2008 Ghana) has given a clear assurance that the nation is on course to undertake all the major projects in time to host the tournament, which kicks off in January.

Speaking exclusively to The Statesman yesterday, Rex Danquah said construction work on all four stadia nationwide should begin before the end of June 2005.

The major projects involve upgrading the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi from 50,000 to a 65,000 capacity; and that of Accra from 30,000 to 50,000. Workmen are also expected to move on site next month to begin work on the two completely new 20,000 all-seated stadia in Sekondi and Tamale.

Last night, an independent evaluation committee was considering the bids of around eleven companies on the shortlist to undertake the construction project. Over 200 companies expressed interest in the project valued in excess of about half a billion dollars.

In a separate interview, deputy minister of education and sports, O.B. Amoah disclosed that due diligence work has been completed on sources of funding for the project and a decision is expected to be taken "in the shortest possible time, in time to award the contracts by the middle of June."