Ghanaians fight Nations Cup plans

By Durosimi Thomas
BBC Sport, Ghana

The youth threaten to continue the demonstrations

Ghana's preparations to host the 2008 African Cup of Nations Cup has come under threat from angry youth in Sekondi.

Members of the Sekondi Youth Club went on a three-hour demonstration on Wednesday to protest against the relocation of a proposed new stadium, which will now be constructed just outside the town.

The Local Organising Committee for the 2008 tournament originally planned to construct an Olympic Stadium at the popular Gyandu Park.

But the decision by the LOC to move the project to Essipon has infuriated the protesters.

LOC Officials have claimed that Gyandu Park is unsuitable for the project.

Unarmed policeman monitored the peaceful match of some 250 demonstrators, who carried placards and chanted slogans against the decision.

Another protest is planned after two weeks if their demands to take the project back to Gyandu Park are not met.

Surveyors are clearing the land at Essipon, an indication that work on the stadium and other adjoining facilities will soon begin.

John Prempeh, a senior youth organiser, has claimed that the LOC are treating the people of Takoradi unfairly.

"The important men have bought land [in Essipon] to build their hotels and restaurants, so they are not thinking about Sekondi citizens.

"A new Gyandu stadium will revive Sekondi... Sekondi is dying now," Prempeh claims.

I hope that the demonstrations will stop and the young people in the town can see the opportunities that will create jobs for everyone Dr Kofi Amoah, LOC chairman

"We are going to demonstrate until we take the matter to the speaker of [Ghana's] parliament and Caf, who are aware that the site for the new stadium is Gyandu Park."

LOC chairman Dr Kofi Amoah says their plans will not be deterred by the demonstration.

"It is not true that anybody is conniving to make profit for other people and take away other people's benefits.

"Everything that is happening is for the interest of the whole community. It is not for the interest of one segment of Sekondi or Takoradi.

"I hope that the demonstrations will stop and the young people in the town can see the opportunities that will create jobs for everyone.

"A US$30 million investment into a community like that must serve as a big economic multiplier.

"If most people and sports organisations had a choice, they will move stadia away from city centres.

"With issues of terrorism, security, and congestion to examine, I think my people in Sekondi-Takoradi ought to look at things carefully," Amoah said.