Ghana officials meet Brazilian envoy over 2014 World Cup plans

Mr Elvis Afriyie -Ankrah, Minister of Youth and Sports, on Monday held meeting with Madam Irene Vida Gala, Brazil’s Ambassador in Ghana, on the draft plans towards Brazil 2014.

He said the government is already on the ground working through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and also with the Ghana Football Association.

Mr Afriyie–Ankrah, who was addressing the media after the close door meeting in Accra said ”It was not that we were overconfident about qualifying but rather decided to start our homework very early because June is not as far off as we may think”.

The Minister said Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) was planning a support package to send the Black Stars’ technical team on a refresher course in England.

She said a lot of collaborative work would have to be done between the two countries for mutual benefit.

Madam Vida Gala said “Brazil’s Embassy here is ready to help Ghana and also in Brazil because this World Cup will be very different and special for many reasons. That is why I am happy to be here to witness and share my ideas at this meeting”.

Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, said there was the need for Ghana to market its culture, music and food at the World Cup.

Mr Kojo Adu Asare, a Minister of State at the Presidency representing the Chief of Staff, Mr Michael Attipoe from the Commission on Culture,  and Dr Toni Aubynn, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, commended all the stakeholders and reiterated the need for early preparations on and off the field.

”I have been to two previous World Cups and we have improved steadily but Brazil presents the toughest test yet that is why this meeting and more to follow will be crucial in how best we prepare for Brazil 2014” he said.

President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Mr Ackah Anthony, said the media’s role in Ghana’s preparation would be deeper and even more impactful than the two previous World Cups.

There were also representatives from Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Ghana Chamber of Commerce, and Industry, the National Theatre, Ministry of Youth and Sports, AGI and the National Security.