Brazil 2014: Brazilians can’t wait for Ghana

The Mayor's Office in Natal, Brazil, has described Ghana as the new force of African football following the Black Stars impressive outings in their first two World Cup appearances.

Receiving a six- member Ghanaian delegation including the Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, the Mayor, Carlos Eduardo Nunes Alves, said he had been following the Black Stars and their colourful supporters since Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010 and would be glad to welcome the Ghanaians to Natal where their 2014 World Cup campaign would begin.

The delegation, which was led by educationist, Mr. Horace Ankrah, who is the chairman of Ghana’s Brazil 2014 Events/Logistics/Grounds/Welfare Committee, was made up of a Security and Intelligence expert from National Security, Mr Charles Domi, and Mr Larry Acheampong, who is a Social Integration Consultant and Statistician.

Other members were Mr. Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah, a Media and Communications Consultant, Mr Agbesi Nutsu, Social Affairs Expert on the Protocol, Welfare and Logistics team as well as Fred Darko,  Project Coordinator for the Brazil 2014 Project.

''Consider yourselves at home here in Brazil because just like us, Ghana also  plays good football and wins.

“We in Natal will give you a World Cup appearance that you will cherish for a very long time'', Alves stated.   

The team was mandated by the Minister to look at the best options available for Ghana, compare prices with services, internal travelling connections, security updates, and also to explore affordable accommodation for supporters, among others. 

The delegation which has since returned home, held several meetings and toured various sites in Natal, Rio and Sao Paolo to get first hand information expected to go a long way to assist the nation to stage  one of the best World Cup appearances and also help to brand Ghana during the global soccer fiesta.

The delegation was expected to present  a comprehensive report and recommendations to the Minister of Youth and Sports last Thursday after which he is expected to consult key stakeholders to conclude Ghana's 2014 World Cup mission.

The Natal Mayor's office indicated that a new chapter in Ghana-Brazil ties would be opened, especially considering that Brazil 2014 promised to be significantly different from South Africa 2010. 

The selected city Natal, does not have an official Ghanaian community  but that turned out to be one of the key issues proposed by the Ghanaian team at the historic meeting.

The Mayor who was highly impressed by the presentation of Ghana said; ''The World Cup is not only about football but many possibilities, including exchange programmes in education, commerce, science and culture. Besides, it is now becoming popular to find Brazilians learning to speak English so that they accommodate their brothers and sisters from Africa''.