Situation of the Ghana Olympic Committee

Hon. Akua Sena Dansua
Minister of Youth and Sports
Republic of Ghana
Fax: +233 21 66 27 94 / 66 03 44
NOC Relations Department
Ref. No 2010/jpy

Lausanne, 30 September 2010

Situation of the Ghana Olympic Committee and the Olympic Movement in Ghana
Excellency,
We acknowledge, with thanks, receipt of your letter dated 9 September 2010 and we also
refer to the conference call last week between HE Mr John Atta Mills, President of the
Republic of Ghana, and HE Jacques Rogge, IOC President.
As far as the situation of the National Federations (NFs) is concerned, it is clear to
everyone (based on our roadmap dated 25 November 2009 and as it was recalled in our
previous letter dated 30 June 2010) that the International Federations (IFs) are ultimately
responsible to decide upon the status of their respective NFs and that the composition of
the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) shall include NFs recognised by their respective
IFs.
In addition, as a prior step before the GOC Elective General Assembly can be convened
and as you know very well, the revision process of the sports legislation in Ghana shall be
finalised in a way which is compatible with the basic principles of the Olympic Charter and
the regulations of the International Sports Federations.
From your letters dated 22 March and 8 June, we have taken note with great satisfaction
that such revision process of your national sports legislation, which is under your entire
jurisdiction, will be finalised by the end of this year at the latest.
Consequently, as mentioned in our previous letter dated 30 June 2010, we do hope that
this very important step can be completed as soon as possible by the end of year, as this
would greatly help resolving the current situation and would pave the way for the GOC to
hold its elections. Once again this is a crucial step to achieve if we do not want this
unfortunate situation to be repeated again in the future and if we want to find a long-term
solution.
Meanwhile, we hope that the GOC will be given all necessary means and support from the
Government authorities in Ghana to operate normally until the outgoing GOC officebearers
under Mr Baba’s leadership are in a position to convene the GOC elections as
soon as the last pending step mentioned above is completed.
Once again, we call on all parties involved to cooperate in a constructive and coordinated
manner, with the view to successfully achieve these objectives for the benefit of the
Olympic Movement and of the athletes in Ghana.
NOC Relations Department Page 2/2
Ref. No 2010/
We do hope that you will be able to update us soon on the progress of the revision process
of the sports legislation in Ghana so that we could move forward accordingly with the
GOC.
Should this process not be completed by the end of the year as per your commitment and
given also that this matter has been going on for too long time, the IOC would
unfortunately be obliged to consider the protective measures provided in the Olympic
Charter.
We thank you for your kind attention to the above and we remain at your entire disposal,
as always.
Yours sincerely,
Pere MIRÓ
NOC Relations Director
Note: We kindly ask Mr Benson T. BABA, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, to
make sure that this letter will reach you properly.
Cc: - Jacques ROGGE, IOC President
- Intendant General Lassana PALENFO, ANOCA President and IOC member
- Andrew RYAN, Director, ASOIF
- Mr Benson T. BABA, President, Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC)
- Commonwealth Games Federation