[ 2011-06-28 ]

Ghana close to rejoining IOC
Ghana is a step away from rejoining the
International Olympics Movement, following what
the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
describes as “considerable progress” that has
been made towards amending the country’s sports
legislation.

This is contained in a statement signed by the
Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Clement Humado,
copied to GNA in Accra on Monday.

It said: “In a communiqué after a meeting in
Lausanne, Switzerland between the IOC, the Ghana
Olympic Committee (GOC) and Government, the IOC
said in recognition of the progress made, the IOC
Executive Board would consider the lifting of the
suspension following the passage by Parliament of
the new Sports Legislative Instrument that will
replace LI 1088”.

The statement noted that the Sports Minister, who
was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff Dr.
Valerie Sawyerr, to the Lausanne meeting, said
Parliament was expected to adopt the new
legislation by the 6th of July this year.

“It was agreed during the meeting on June 24,
2011, which was also attended by a GOC team led by
Benson T. Baba, that the GOC would immediately
initiate the various preparatory processes that
will culminate in the holding of the elections to
ensure that elections are held as soon as possible
after the suspension is lifted,” the statement
said.

It indicated that once the suspension of the GOC
is lifted by the IOC Executive Board, the GOC
shall immediately take all necessary steps to
convene its elective General Assembly as soon as
possible.

The statement said the IOC would supervise the
process with all parties agreeing to “work
together in a constructive manner in order to
benefit sports and the athletes of Ghana”.

The IOC suspended Ghana because of concerns with
the country’s sports law, which it did not find
compatible with the principles and rules of the
Olympic Charter.

The action was taken in January this year by the
IOC Executive Board because of what it said was
lack of commitment to amending the sports
legislation in Ghana before the end of 2010.

Source - GNA

... go Back