Discussions in sports and social circles in Ghana have become more animated since Globacom announced the decision to host the 2006 Glo-CAF Awards ceremony in Accra, the country's capital. Back in October, when the choice of Ghana was contemplated, officials of Globacom went on an inspection round of facilities in Accra and returned with tales of happy reception from the government and people of the former Gold Coast.

"We were simply overwhelmed by the warmth of the Ghanaians towards our team noted Ian Randolph, who led the Globacom team to Accra. It was not his first visit to Ghana, being from that country, but Randolph says he was astonished by the fact that the Globacom brand enjoyed huge recognition in an environment it has no physical presence.

Rex Danquah, the Chief Operating Officer of the Ghana 2008 Local Organising Committee (LOC), corroborated the submissions of the Globacom team leader during a recent visit to the telecom company's office in Lagos and gave further insight. "For us in Ghana, especially the LOC for Ghana 2008, the coming of the Glo-CAF Awards has added impetus to our campaign to create awareness for the Africa Cup of Nations. We believe that the success of the ceremony in Accra will go a long way in sensitising the business and corporate community on the need to support Ghana'08", Danquah remarked.

Afoloabi Otufowora, Events Manager with Globacom and who was on the inspection trip described Accra as "a beautiful city of warmth". He scored the facilities at most of the venues high and reckoned that it would have been difficult to consider another country for the 2006 awards ceremony after the tour. "We went to La Palms Beach Hotel, Accra International Conference Centre and ECOWAS Pavilion at the Trade Fair Centre, but overall, we settled for the Conference Centre because it ranks at the same level with our Abuja International Conference Centre in Nigeria", narrated Otufowora.

Towards staging a world class event that will live with the people of Accra and all other guests,

Globacom has opened an event partnership talks with one of Ghana's leading events management companies, Media Whizz Kids (MWK), a member of world acclaimed agency MMRS Ogilvy. Mr. Reginald Laryea, the Managing Director of MWK, recently led a team to Lagos for a project strategy meeting with Globacom.

Laryea said the expectation of the people of Ghana is quite high and has to be matched by the quality of event being conceptualised. "I am coming from Ghana I have felt the pulse of the people ever since it became known that Accra will be the venue and my feedback is compelling reason for MWK to fashion out a mind-blowing ceremony that will also lay the tracks for the eventual launch of the Glo brand in Ghana" "We are happy that Ghana is hosting the African Player of the Year Awards because our boy Michael Essien is going to win. We will support Glo, we will support CAF and we will be there to celebrate with Essien. It is an honour for Ghana", an elated Ghanaian football fan was heard proclaiming at the Novotel bar after Essien smashed home Chelsea's equaliser in the FA Premiership game against Arsenal.