LOC salutes all and hope for a better year

Accra, Dec 28, GNA - The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of Ghana 2008 African Cup of Nations has saluted all stakeholders for their support and contribution that positioned the Committee and the nation to have confidence and hope for a very significant and successful tournament.

"We want to make special mention of gratitude to the President, John Agyekum Kufuor and the entire government and people for the confidence placed in the LOC right from the beginning and for every event that had helped push the dream forward".

This was said in a New Year message issued by Magnus Rex Danquah, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the LOC copied to the GNA Sports on behalf of the Chairman, members of the Board, the LOC sub-committees and its Secretariat in an expression of gratitude to all. Mr Danquah said "We are indeed indebted to the entire nation for the sympathy, love and understanding that have been displayed throughout the year to enable us to capably launch into the next phase of the preparation for the tournament". He said he was convinced that the New Year will present great tidings capable of affording the LOC invaluable assistance that will make their burden easier to carry.

"As we enter the New Year and the final lap of our preparations towards the tourney, we will like to use the joy that the season brings to appeal to the nobility that dwells within every Ghanaian and friends of the country worldwide to rally round the course that we have set for ourselves to see Ghana triump". The Operating Officer added that "Our simple design, an ambition which we know we share with the entire country is to use the several opportunities that CAN tournament has to offer to leave a legacy that will be held dear and will be forever cherished by every Ghanaian, both at home and abroad".

He reckoned that going the distance will not come easy, especially without the support and collaboration of all stakeholders including the media, political leaders, civil society and the host city-avenues. The Chief Operating Officer said the LOC is counting on all to drum home that sanitation must be a mantra, not solely for the tourney, but even for the days ahead "as we enter the New Year and look forward to celebrating Ghana's 50th Independence Anniversary". "Through all, it must be known that Ghanaians everywhere must be ready to be ushered into a needed renaissance that shall give birth to that shining and clean country ready to take its place in the 21st century". The Ghana CAN 2008 tournament is to be hosted in the four venue cities of Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi.