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30.06.2011 Sports News

IOC Set To Lift Ban On Ghana

30.06.2011 LISTEN
By Daily Graphic

The International Olympic Committee ( IOC) Executive Board is to consider the lifting of the ban imposed on Ghana at its Sunday meeting in Durban, South Africa, following the passage by parliament of the new Sports Legislative Instrument that will replace LI 1088.

A statement issued in Accra yesterday by the sport ministry said Ghana was a step away from rejoining the IOC describes the 'considerable progress' that has been made towards amending the country's sports legislation.

The IOC suspended Ghana because of concerns with the country's sports law, which it did not find compatible with the principles and rules of the Olympic Charter.

In a communique after a meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, last Friday between the IOC, the Ghana Olympic Committee(GOC) and government, the IOC duly recognised the progress made by Ghana.

Sports Minister, Clement Humado, who was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr Valerie Swayerr, to the Lausanne meeting, said Parliament was expected to adopt the new legislation by next Wednesday, July 6.

According to the IOC, 'once the suspension of the GOC is lifted by the IOC Executive Board, the GOC shall immediately take all necessary steps to convene its elective General Assembly as soon as possible'.

It was agreed during the meeting last Friday, which was also attended by the GOC team led by Benson Tongo Baba, that the GOC would immediately initiate the various preparatory processes that will culminate in the holding of the elctions to ensure that elections are held as soon as possible after the suspension is lifted.

The IOC will supervise the process, according to the communique with all parties agreeing to 'work together in a constructive manner in order to benefit sports and the athletes of Ghana'.

Ghana was suspended in January this year by the IOC Executive Board because of what it said was a lack of committment to revising the sports legislation in Ghana before the end of 2010.

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