The Ministry of Youth and Sports has confirmed that Ghana has declined a request by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations due to concerns expressed by the citizens over the potential threat of the Ebola virus.
A source at the ministry told the Daily Graphic that the government had informed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) that the country would be unable to host the tournament.
Last Saturday, Morocco, original hosts of the competition, informed CAF that it could not fulfill its obligations as hosts because of the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa and suggested that Africa’s premier tournament be postponed to 2016.
Last month, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Mahama Ayariga, indicated that Ghana was willing to consider hosting the tournament in the event that Morocco pulled out, but that decision was met with stiff opposition by the Ghanaian public who feared hosting the tournament could expose the nation to the Ebola virus disease.
Yesterday, the minister explained to Accra-based Joy FM that Ghana’s decision to turn down CAF’s request was informed by health concerns.
"On the issue of the tournament, the FA president came to brief me on their discussions and we have indicated to him that from the representation that we have received from the people in the health sector, it doesn’t look like Ghana is in the position to accept hosting the tournament and I think he has since conveyed this message to CAF", Mr Ayariga said.
