Accra, Sept 21, GNA - The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday organised the second of a series of CAF/LOC Media Seminar for local practitioners in Accra. The one-day event, attended by over hundred journalists drawn from the print and electronic media across the country, was to educate participants on the functions and media operations during the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for January 20 - February 10, 2008. Suleiman Habuba, CAF Communications Director outlined the media plan and innovations for the 26th edition of the continent's plum soccer event in the quest to make the event a successful a memorable one. He gave the assurance that CAF would coordinate with the LOC to make sure media personnel enjoy an incident-free tourney. "We will ensure that the Media Centre, Media Zone and Media Tribune are fully equipped to ensure that the media enjoy the competition under favourable conditions."

Mr Habuba announced that all sixteen teams expected for the event would have media officers to foster activities of information gathering for accredited journalists during the month-long soccer fiesta. The CAF Communications Director stated that for the first time in the history of the competition, there would be flash interviews with players and officials of participating teams during recess of every game to be followed by a well-organised press conference after the match. Speaking on the topic, "The Role and Expectation of the Broadcast Journalist," Joe Lartey, a veteran broadcaster advised members of the electronic media to conduct more research about the competition to enable them discharge their duties successfully. Joe Lartey advised media practitioners to be abreast with the laws of the game, rehearse their language and sharpen their public relation skills as well as exercise high level of professionalism in their reportage during the competition.

"Broadcasters must ensure that all equipment and facilities are in good shape for usage," advised the 80 year-old broadcaster. Joe Lartey urged the participants to instil assertiveness, confidence and fair play in the discharge of their duties as they seek to entertain, educate and inform the sporting public during next year's event. Ms Esther Dzifa Ofori, Board Member of the LOC who chaired the event asked the participants to make good use of the knowledge acquired in their daily activities prior to the commencement of the competition. The first edition of the seminar came off last March. It is the first time such an event is being organised in the 50-year history of the Africa Cup of Nations.