.... Glasgow Commonwealth Games

As the countdown to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games (CWG) winds up, the Ghana Olympic Committee and the British High Commission have on Monday 14th April, 2014, held a ceremony to commemorate 100 Days to the Games at the British High Commission in Accra. According to the Ghana Olympic Committee, Ghana will be one of the 70 participating nations at the 2014 Commonwealth Games which has the official motto: People, Place, Passion.

Ghana will be making a historic 15th appearance at the CWG in Glasgow from 23rd July to 3rd August 2014. The country has a rich history in the CWG after winning medals in 12 of the 14 appearances it has made so far. Team Ghana has won a total of 55 medals in the previous competitions made up of 15 gold medals, 18 silver medals and 22 bronze medals. With less than four months to go before the start of the CWG, the excitement is already starting to mount as the Ghana Olympic Committee makes final preparations towards the country’s eventual participation in the largest multi sport event in 2014. The Chef De Mission of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Chris Essilfie commented, “We are excited to mark this huge milestone ahead of the Games.” “I am pleased to announce to you that the GOC is doing everything possible to make sure Ghana’s athletes and officials have the best of preparation for the CWG.” “In that respect, the GOC is in the process of securing a Pre-Games training venue for Team Ghana in Scotland.

“We are also due to select Ghana’s Ticket Reseller in the coming days. Indeed, the GOC has advertised for Expressions of Interest from prospective candidates who want to be the official Authorized Ticket Reseller (ATR) who will be responsible for the sale of event tickets for the Commonwealth Games, and is due to select a candidate very soon.”

“We will continue to work with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Sports Authority and the various Federations to make sure Ghana’s participation in the CWG is successful.”

The CWG will be the largest multi-sport eventever held in Scotland, although the country previously hosted the 1970and 1986Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. The Chargée d’Affaires of the British High Commission Caron Rohsler declared that Glasgow is ready to host the games. “This is an exciting time for Britain and for Scotland. Expectations are high and we won't disappoint. As well as the sporting events themselves, Glasgow is preparing to welcome business people from all over the world to learn more about what Scotland has to offer commercially, especially through its design, innovative technologies and oil and gas sector.”

She added, “I'm delighted to welcome representatives of Ghana's sporting authorities the (Ghana Olympic Committee, who also organise the Commonwealth Games delegation, and the Ministry of Sport) here today to share this platform and I look forward to hearing from them how Team Ghana's preparations are progressing.

“I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr Chris Essilifie on his appointment as Chef de Mission. His considerable professional experience in a range of fields (not least Tae Kwondo!) and his familiarity with the United Kingdom will, I know, be a great asset to Ghana's endeavours. I look forward to working with him closely in the coming weeks,” Caron Rohsler concluded.

The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Joseph Yammin gave an assurance that government will do everything possible to ensure success for Team Ghana at the Games.

“Together with the National Sports Authority and the Ghana Olympic Committee, which is responsible for organising their participation at the Commonwealth Games, the Ministry of Youth and Sports will work towards not only winning more medals at the Games but also ensure the necessary logistics and arrangements are made for team Ghana before, during and after the Games,” he said. From Sammy Heywood Okine