Accra, July 13, GNA - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Association of National Olympic Committee of Africa (ANOCA) has said that they will not recognize the elections of Prof. Francis Dodoo as the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

A statement jointly signed by Pere Miro, IOC National Olympic Committee (NOC), Relations Director and General Lassana Palenfo, ANOCA President and IOC member said, the two bodies are in full support of Mr Benson Tongo Baba, as the current and legitimate president of the GOC. It said the two bodies will continue to recognize Mr Baba as the GOC President until the election process is duly completed in a legal, democratic, fair and transparent manner based on the constitution of the GOC.

The statement added that the General Assembly of the GOC must be composed according to the provisions of the constitution of the NOC and the Olympic Charter and must include the National Sports Federations and their legitimate representatives as duly recognized by their respective International Federations.

It urged public authorities to respect the autonomy of the structures of the Olympic and sports movement and must not intervene in or interfere with the internal affairs of the structures, adding that the NOC internal operations, decision making mechanisms, holding of meetings and election arrangements among others are under the exclusive responsibility and competence of the NOC in accordance with the Constitution and the Olympic Charter.

"In view of the above should your NOC be prevented from strictly observing these basic principles due to any external pressure or interference, this would regrettably expose your NOC to the protective measures and potential sanctions provided in the Olympic Charter in particular under Rule 28.9.

"Apart from the measures and sanctions provided in the case of infringement of the Olympic Charter, the IOC Executive Board may take any appropriate decisions for the protection of the Olympic movement in the country of an NOC including suspension of or withdrawal of recognition from such NOC if the constitution, law and other regulations in force in the country concerned or any act by the government or other body causes the activity of the NOC or the making or expression of its will to be hampered".

The statement expressed the hope that clarifications from the IOC and ANOCA will help ensure the autonomy of the Olympic movement and for the sports movement in Ghana respected with the view to develop a mutual understanding with the government authorities and harmonious, complementary and durable relations.