January 14, 2011

Former Deputy Minister of Sports and NPP Member of Parliament for Nsawam/Aburi Constituency, Hon. O.B. Amoah, has blamed the ruling NDC government for the ban imposed on Ghana by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The IOC on Thursday, January 13th, 2011, suspended the Ghanaian Olympic Committee after government failed to take agreed steps to ensure no political interference in the body.

Ghana becomes the second country to be banned following Kuwait last year, after efforts to ensure the GOC was protected from domestic political interference failed.

Kuwait was suspended on January 1, 2010 also for political interference.

Contributing to a discussion on e.tv’s morning show on Friday, the former Deputy Sports Minister, who was disappointede at the turn of events, said he anticipated the imposition of the ban, adding that government remained unconcerned for the situation to get out of hand.

He said that he was surprised why the government could not do anything to solve the issue when the government was given up to the end of the year 2010.

Hon. O.B Amoah noted that the speedy passage of the Sports Bill which is supposed to give autonomy to sports administration will solve the problem on continuos government interference.

He was worried that Ghana may not be able to participate in any athletic championship sanctioned by the IOC and the Olympic Games if the situation is not resolved immediately.

Story by :Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh