GHANA'S President John Kufuor will grace the opening ceremony of the 8th all Africa Games in Abuja come October 4, 2003. Laison Officer for the Games at the country's High Commission, Mr. Sam Afrifa-Kyei has said.

Mr. Afrifa-Kyei who confirmed this during his visit to the executive director of the games organizing committee (COJA), Dr. Amos Adamu in his office in Abuja on Thursday said his country's preparation was on top gear.

"You know the Black Stars are coming. Whenever the national team is involved in any game the whole country usually follows with keen interest', Mr. Afrifa-Kyel said adding that efforts are also on to see if the Black Queens, as the female national team is called will also make the games.

Mr. Afrifa-Kyei explained that since the games is starting before the end of the female world cup, where Ghana and Nigeria are representing Africa, it is still not certain whether the Black Queens will be available for the games.

He commended COJA's preparations towards hosting the continent particularly in the area of provision of modern facilities, efforts at creating awareness as well as educating the populace on the need to make the event a memorable one for all participants.

Mr. Afrifa-Kyi called for more involvement of the respective Laison Officers for the games in the embassies and high commissions of participating countries in the pre-game events to enable them relay all the happenings to their contingent back home.

The special adviser on co-ordination, Dr. William Boyd, Mr. Ben Okolo, General Manager legal services and other top officers of COJA received Mr. Afrifa-Kyei on behalf of he executive director.