GFA Welcomes Egypt's Improved Security Situation

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is pleased to inform the general public that a meeting held in Cairo on Thursday over security for next Tuesday's World Cup playoff was very successful.

The meeting was called by FIFA to address security concerns for the second-leg match to be played at the Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on 19 November.

The meeting, presided over by FIFA Security Office Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba, saw officials of the Egyptian Ministry of Interior, the Egyptian Military, Ghana's ambassador to Egypt H.E. Said Sinare, GFA delegation led by President Kwesi Nyantakyi, Ghana's security delegation and the Egypt FA.

The parties received detailed security preparation briefing for the match with firm assurances of maximum protection for the visiting team Ghana, the Egypt team, FIFA officials, the media and fans attending the match.

The Egyptian security authorities gave firm guarantees of the following security plan for the match:

a). Airport: The National team of Ghana will be received at the airport, Cairo by a team of security officers right at the tube.

b)Transport: A bus and saloon car will be provided at the airport together with security details attached thereto.

c)Immigration: The players and officials will not be detained to go through the laborious processes of immigration. They will be sent to the hotel while immigration protocols are observed.

d)Protection for routes to hotel and stadium: There will be security along all routes the team will pass from airport to the hotel and from hotel to the stadium.

e)Hotel Security: In addition to the hotel security, the state will provide a standing security for the team at the hotel. This will include security on the floor of the team.

f)Attaché to the team: The Ghana team will be assigned an interpreter and security attaché from the EFA.

g)Escorts: The Ghana team will be assigned an escort to lead the team to all destinations. It will be made up of at least 2 vehicles with a staff strength of 20-30 security officers.

h)All schedules: Ghana was requested to provide a schedule of all movements including times for arrivals and departures so adequate security will be provided on all occasions.

i)Liaison with Ghana team: The security of Egypt agreed to liaise with Ghana's security led by Alhaj Lartey before during and after the game.

j)Protection for Ghana supporters: Supporters from Ghana will be given a dedicated location in the stadium with security. The Egyptians requested information on the number of supporters, dates of arrival and departure and movements in Cairo for them to provide the required security. All Ghanaian fans found anywhere else in the stadium will be evacuated to the assigned place reserved for Ghanaians.

k) Laser beams and firecrackers: Upon complaint from Ghana, the Egyptians agreed to stop the use of laser beams and fire crackers at the match

l)Security for the match: There will be 3000 security men and women for the match. 1600 will be outside and 1400 within the stadium

m)VIPs: Ghana is to provide details on the VIPs expected from Ghana for the match so arrangements can be made for them. Amb. Sinare was to take it up.

n)Aerial Surveillance: Helicopters will be deployed to provide aerial surveillance for the game

o)Accreditation for journalists: Accreditation and protection will also be provided for journalists. There will also be ID cards and bibs for photojournalists.

p)Dressing room: Ghana has been assigned Dressing Room A.

After reviewing the plan and detailed security arrangements for the match, the GFA is satisfied that adequate measures are in place for the security of our players, officials and supporters for the match.

We wish to thank Ghana's Minister for Youth & Sports Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, FIFA, its the General Secretary Mr Jerome Valcke and other officials for showing exceptional interest in security for the game and the desire to ensure that the promises made by the Egyptian authorities will be fulfilled at the match.

We wish to thank our brothers at the Egyptian FA and the Egyptian authorities for cooperating with us. We also wish to thank the FIFA security officer for the match, Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba for his cooperation and professionalism in this case.

Thank you.
Signed:
Ghana FA President,
Kwesi Nyantakyi