France supports Ghana 2008

The French government on Tuesday intensified efforts to support Ghana to successfully host the 26th African Cup of Nations football fiesta scheduled for January 20 to February 10, next year.

A statement to the Ghana News Agency signed by Mrs Marie-Helena Hoba, the Press Attaché of the French Embassy in Accra, said the support included sharing security operations information with the Ghana security operatives.

A French security expert from the "Fédération Française de Football", Mr Ramon Andre had already shared security information on the "Ghana 2008" installations and equipment.

The statement said the French Foreign Affairs facilitated the visit under the French/Ghana cooperation and noted: "as a World Cup Organizer in France (1998) and a specialist in police forces, Mr Andre shared his experiences with the Ghanaian security forces.

The French Football Security Expert also conducted a training aimed at risk analysis and mob management during important sport events for about 50 trainees from the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service.

Other institutions, which benefited from the training were, the Ghana National Fire Service, members of the Ministry of National Security and the Local Organizing Committee.

Mr Andre also inspected facilities at the Ghana 2008 venues and okayed the security installations.

According to the French Embassy in Accra, Mr Andre is a former police officer but now in charge of security of the "Fédération Française de Football".

He was part of the security organizing team for France hosting the 1998 World Cup and also contributed to the European Cup of Nations in 2000.

Mr Andre contributed tremendously to the Olympic Games in Greece would also be a special adviser for the 2010 Word Cup in South Africa.