ADDRESS DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY J. A. KUFUOR, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL DRAW/BALLOTING OF THE GHANA 2008 CAN FOOTBALL TOURNMENT AT THE ACCRA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2007.

Vice President Aliu Mahama,
The President of CAF, Mr Issa Hayatou,
Hon Ministers,
Hon Members of Parliament,
Your Excellencies Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Esteemed Traditional Rulers,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to welcome you to this hall for the official draw for GHANA CAN 2008 Football Tournament scheduled for next January. I salute also the millions of football fans around the world who are keenly watching this draw.
I know some of you will come to Ghana to watch the Tournament with us.

African football is part of the global football industry. This was clearly in evidence during the last World Cup Tournament in Germany. A number of African players are also distinguishing themselves in prestigious clubs around the world, adding to the drama and excitement of what is obviously the world’s most popular game.

The vast potential whose realisation is yet to peak makes African football a promising industry which must be supported by both local and foreign investors to expand, to provide additional opportunities for talented footballers of our continent and the world in general. This is no doubt one of the reasons for the African Union’s declaration of 2007 as the International Year of African Football.

Indeed, Ghana is proud to be hosting the 26th edition of the Tournament. It will be a unique occasion to showcase the continent’s best teams and individual talents. It will also present an opportunity to strengthen the unity and the bonds of friendship that exist among the various nations of the continent.

I also seize this occasion to congratulate CAF which, like Ghana, is marking its 50th anniversary this year. I commend further the President and Officials of CAF, as well as the 53 African nations that are affiliated to the Federation, for their combined efforts in building the sport to its present level of professionalism.

To the teams that have qualified to participate in today’s draw, I say, congratulations. Having survived the elimination series, they are entitled to see themselves as winners. I therefore charge the various managements to demand of each player, and indeed official, the highest level of professionalism and sportsmanship that should make the Tournament a memorable event for all.

At this point, on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, I invite football fans around the world to join us for the CAN 2008 Football Tournament in January 2008 and also wish this draw to be mightly successful.

Thank you and May God bless us all.