August 26, 2011
Board Chairman of the Ghana Sports Council Mr Kojo Bonsu revealed to Radio Gold that the decision to lift the ban was arrived at a meeting which took place in Seoul, South Korea on Friday morning.
In January this year, the IOC suspended the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ghana from competing in the London 2012 games. The IOC cited "political interference" from the Ghanaian government as the reason behind the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ghana's expulsion.
A statement issued on that day by the IOC read "an obvious lack of cooperation of the government authorities in Ghana and a lack of respect of the Ghana public authorities" led to the nation's ban.
But Mr Bonsu who sounded very happy about the move when he told the radio station today that “about an hour ago, I think, in Korea the ban was lifted.”
The decision by the IOC means Ghana may take part in the London 2012 Olympic games. “It means a lot to us because we were out of the Olympic fraternity and we are back in the fold, so that means we will be able to take part in all international events, eg; Olympic Games and other international meets,” Kojo Bonsu said
He was certain with the decision, Ghana could be part of the 2012 Olympics in London and expressed gratitude to Youth and Sports Minister, Clement Kofi Humado; marketing consultant Frank Appiah; Mr. BT Baba of the GOC; Dr Valerie Sawyerr, a Deputy Chief of Staff; National Sports Council CEO, Worlanyo Agra and the Parliamentary legal team for helping to fashion out a package that he said led to the lifting of the ban.
"It means a lot to us because we were out of the Olympic fraternity and we are back in the fold, so that means we will be able to take part in all international events, eg; Olympic Games and other international meets," said Kojo Bonsu.
Could this mean that Ghana will resume receiving its Olympic funding?
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