Accra, Dec 22, GNA 96 The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations has extended invitation to Ghanaians to participate in a competition aimed at naming the tournament's Mascot. The competition, according to the LOC secretariat will open on Wednesday, December 27, and will be conducted through text messages.

It has therefore asked interested participants with any mobile network to send their names to text number 2008 for the competition. The Mascot is an eagle footballer dressed in a multi-coloured kente top jersey and black shorts piped with red, yellow and green that was designed by 27 year old Francis Nsiah, the Creative Director of Dynamite Communications. The LOC said the competition will last for three weeks and contestants stand the chance of winning prizes ranging from a round trip ticket to London, freezers, computers, television sets, mobile phones and other consolation prizes.

Mr Magnus Rex Danquah, Chief Operating Officer of the LOC in a release copied to the GNA Sports said the decision to involve all mobile networks is to allow many Ghanaians to participate in the decision-making process. He said it is also to ensure that a fitting name is found for the eagle which embodies both the tradition and passion of Ghana. "We all know the position that the eagle occupies on the crest of Ghana as a national symbol and it is expected that this will be taken into account in the search for a suitable name." Mr Danquah added that the naming of the mascot will also involve the support of some selected radio stations that will receive the suggestions for the name of the mascot from callers through phone-ins and text messages.