Tamale, June 17, GNA - The Minority Spokesman on Education, Science and Sports, Mr Abuga Pele has called on the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the CAN 2008 soccer fiesta to periodically brief the nation about Ghana's preparedness towards the hosting of the event, which kicks off on 20th January next year.

He also called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (MESS) to be more transparent in its preparation towards the event and asked that it should tell Ghanaians how much the contract sum of the rehabilitation of the Baba Yara and the Ohene Djan sports stadias in Kumasi and Accra are costing the nation.

Mr Pele who expressed these concerns with the GNA Sports in Tamale on Sunday said that there was going to be monumental pressure in all the venues and therefore there was the need for adequate preparation and involvement of all to host the participating countries to make the event a memorable one.

He said the way things were currently going on seems to suggest that Ghana was not fully ready for the hosting of the event as there was no euphoria about it and called for positive measures to be put in place to save the country from any unforeseen disgrace.

The Minority Spokesman explained that the current energy crisis was also compounding the problem because standby generators had not been provided for the various new stadiums under construction, and that its provision needs to be reconsidered before the end of this year. "Infrastructure like lorry parks outside the stadiums had not yet been provided, particularly in the Tamale and the Takoradi- Essipong newly constructed ones," he said, adding that if the nation was thinking of hosting a successful event there was the need for adequate preparations at all levels.

Mr Pele said issues like security, implications of cultural diversity of the participants, language and other relevant matters needs to be considered and taken into account so that Ghanaians can generate the desired interest in the event.

"It would be years if not centuries for Ghana again to get this rare opportunity to host African giants in soccer and any catastrophic organisation would cause the nation a lot and we may miss the chance of hosting future events", he added.

Mr Pele said it was also necessary for the government to put in place measures to bring the people together with a common unity of purpose towards the hosting of the event while adequate training tours should be organised periodically for the Black Stars to engage other Africa countries in friendly matches to prepare them adequately for ensure their victory.

He called for a merger of the supporters unions in the country to ensure to cohesion of unity, understanding and a successful hosting of the event.

Mr Pele said that "the Minority in Parliament wish the playing body and management of the Black Stars and all Ghanaians the ultimate success as we host the rest of the continent", adding that with all things being properly organised the nation would lift the ultimate Cup and bring glory to the country. 17 June 07