body-container-line-1
24.01.2008 Sports

The Sekondi blackout... We are all to blame

24.01.2008 LISTEN
By

Two years ago when I heard that Ghana was hosting the African Cup of Nations, nothing could beat my patriotic filled enthusiasm and pure ecstasy in anticipation, but of course little did I know that this feat would be a great challenge to us.

I was not so impressed when organisation was placed only in the hands of the LOC but what can I say...

For the last two years a lot was accomplished, taking into consideration the changing of bare ground and forests into stadia in four different locations, provision of accommodation amongst others and yet a few flaws have almost nullified the efforts made by the LOC.

I watched the opening ceremony which in my view was satisfactory only that it lacked an aim at the beginning and throughout I had to stay awake until later when the acrobatic display and the fireworks brought me back to enjoy it. In all, the opening was broad-set, fast paced and significantly to the point but it lacked the modern associates of our culture today.

The match between Mali and Benin was rather a sight for sore eyes not because the Beninois triumphed over the Malians but due to what I would like to call one of the most embarrassing moments in the history of Ghana.

That evening the teams had done their anthems and it was time for Alhaji Aliu Mahama the Vice president of Ghana to do the honors of greeting the players and it was at that sudden moment that our nightmare came to life: a power shutdown, light-off as we call it and I just sat behind my TV blinking with disbelief as the whole stadium was ushered into the dry harmattan night's darkness.

One would wonder if this was an act of a politician against the Vice President or maybe juju. Of course none of these would qualify because this incident was simply a result of inadequate unreliable and untimely stadium technicians (this time not ECG) - due to the fact that the stadium was in total darkness for close to thirty minutes. I was completely abashed from where I was sitting hoping someone would pinch me so my nightmare would be over and suddenly I became enlightened with the fact that the international media had their cameras on the match. Indeed it was a sight of sore eyes.

Well as it is now we hope the anticipated victory, excitement and tribulation of our winning of this cup will serve as a cover-up to this great embarrassment. I don't think the LOC members are the only ones to blame; if there is blame then it's supposed to go to the whole of Ghana.

From negative habits at work, non payment of bills by Ghanaians to inadequate funds almost everywhere, we can conclude that we all take a fair share of the blame. Maybe the LOC should have set their priorities right. Maybe the government should have assigned a different committee to handle the organizing affairs.

Maybe Ghanaians should have given their support, Whatever the case, this is still Africa and Ghana is a developing country, a "learning" country, so all we have to do is learn from our mistakes and make sure that in the future we can all sit down in satisfaction and laugh back at this most embarrassing moment in the archives of our national embarrassments!

Samuel Akwasi

Just in....
body-container-line