Officiating at CAN 2008 should be above board - Kufuor

Accra, Sept. 8, GNA 96 President John Agyekum Kufuor has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to insist on quality and fair officiating at the 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament to be hosted by Ghana.

Officiating should be above board to help to bring out the best in the participating teams, he said, during a courtesy call on him, by Mr Issa Hayatou, the CAF President, at the Castle, Osu, on Friday. The CAF President is in the country to participate in the Global launch of the tournament's logo and the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee at the Accra International Conference Centre. President Kufuor said Africa had a lot of soccer talents that were equal to the great names of football everywhere. He said given good officiating, proper technical handling, nourishment and adequate preparation of the teams as well as the provision of physical infrastructure, there was no way the players could not perform to send a strong message to the rest of the world. He said the Government would provide the ambiance for security and hospitality that would make all feel really at home during the competition.

President Kufuor said it would ensure that the country's stadiums were up to international standards.

Mr Hayatou acknowledged the support and encouragement the Government gave to the senior national team, the Black Stars that enabled the team to put up a splendid performance at the just ended World Cup tournament in Germany.

The Black Stars performance, he said, was an honour to the whole of Africa, adding that, the 93Stars has done Africa a great honour. We are proud of you. We can now speak with our chest out=94. President Kufuor had earlier granted audience to the Chief Executive Officer of AngloGold Ashanti, Mr Robert Godsell, and a delegation of the National Executive of the Ghana Co-operative Marketing Association.

Mr Godsell was at the Castle to apprise President Kufuor on the operations of the mine. Their meeting was held behind closed doors. The delegation of the Co-operative Association also called to thank President Kufuor for the Government's acceptance to de-confiscate its assets including cocoa sheds, houses and bungalows seized for nearly 46 years and to restore its cocoa buying licence.

President Kufuor said the Government's decision was premised on its promise that it would not use State power to unlawfully seize the assets and property of any individual or organisation.