... expected to arrive at 18:30
Accra, June 29, GNA - The Ministry of Information and National Orientation in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports is to organise a grand reception for the national team, the Black Stars, on their arrival from the World Cup in Germany on Friday, June 30 2006.

The welcoming party, on Friday evening, will include ministers of state and high-ranking government officials at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

A statement signed by Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Information and National Orientation said Christian prayers will be said and libation poured by the Nai Wulomo for the safe arrival of the Stars and for their splendid performance at the tournament, which saw them to the second round.

The players and team officials will be decorated with congratulatory garlands after which they will be driven in a float through some of the principal streets of Accra and end at the Independence Square.

An all-night musical show at which various dance bands under the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) will perform free of charge for the public.

The statement said special designated Metro Mass Transport buses, drapped in national colours, would convey soccer fans from vantage points in Accra to the airport and to the Independence Square. The reception is part of a programme to show the government's appreciation for the heroic exploits of the Stars at their first world Cup appearance.

The programme will continue on Monday, July 3 with a Presidential welcome ceremony, and a street carnival that will begin at the Holy Gardens at the Kwame Nkrumazh Circle at 0830 hours, continue through the principal streets of Accra, to the Castle, where the President will host the heroic Black Stars and technical team to a reception. He will present the Black Stars with awards for their sterling performance in the tournament.

The Black Stars, the only African team to make it to the second round of the on-going world cup tournament in Germany has won lots of admiration from the world of soccer for their brilliant showing. The Stars won two matches, defeating world ranked number two the Czech Republic and the fourth ranked, the United States. They lost to Italy and world cup holder and world number one, Brazil.