£30m UK sponsored project in Ghana hangs in the balance

A 30 million pounds sterling project has been hanging in the balance for the past two years due to the unending feud at the front of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

The project; ‘International Inspiration Programme’, which is an initiative of United Kingdom (UK) Sports, British Council and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is part of the programmes to herald the 2012 UK Olympic Games.

It is also aimed at using education as a tool for sports development in Ghana, through the training of teachers for sports in educational institutions.

The project which should have started two years ago, remains hanged in the corridor of confusion for the past two years because it has not received endorsement by the GOC for implementation.

Information gathered by the GNA Sports reveals that Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Youth and Sports on August 13, 2010 wrote to the Benson Tongo Baba led GOC for a written endorsement for the commencement of the project.

However, a request for a detailed proposal on the project by Mr Baba was not granted by the ministry hence the stalemate over the implementation of the project.

When GNA Sports contacted Mr Baba, he confirmed that the ministry had written to the GOC for their endorsement, but stated that his request has not been granted.

He said that until he was given a detailed copy of the project, it will not receive the endorsement of the GOC.

According to Mr Baba he has since not heard from the ministry but noted they were ready to collaborate with the ministry for the benefit of sports development in the country, provided the right things are done.

The ministry has subsequently reported the matter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

A copy of the letter sent to the IOC signed by the Minister and chanced upon by the GNA Sports reads, “I have written to Mr B.T. Baba to do a written endorsement of the project but he pretended he has no idea of the project and requested that my office provides him with the agreement related to it”.

The GOC has for almost two years engaged in intense power struggle leading to a standstill in the activities of the Committee.

Source: GNA