The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has ordered for fresh elections of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) latest within six months after a critical review of issues engulfing the Association.
The call for the election forms the highlight of a four point recommendation by the IOC signed by Pierre Mero, of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Relations Department and addressed to Minister of Youth and Sports, Abdul Rashid Pelpuo and GOC President, Benson T. Baba.
The GNA Sports gathered that recommendation is a follow-up of discussions between an IOC team, the GOC and Government from November 2 to 4, which was aimed at smoking the peace-pipe engulfing the National Olympic movement.
The Incumbent GOC President, B.T. Baba is said to have made a formal complaint to the IOC after the Committees' General Assembly unanimously voted former athlete, Professor Francis Dodoo as the new president on June 30.
The divisions within the GOC nearly led to a global ban of Ghana from all sporting disciplines, necessitating mediation by the world body.
Following discussions with the parties involved, the IOC statement said it will continue to recognise Mr Baba and his Executive body as the legitimate officers until its recommendations are adhered to.
"The NOC shall hold its elective General Assembly within six months at the latest, which will include, in particular, leaders of the National Federations duly recognised by the International Federations at the time that the National Olympic Committee's (NOC) General Assembly was held.
"Until the NOC elective General Assembly can be held in compliance with these principles, the IOC and ANOCA will continue to recognise the outgoing NOC President, Mr Baba and the outgoing Executive Committee, which will be responsible for the implementation of this NOC electoral process, in the framework of the NOC Statues and the Olympic Charter."
The IOC also recommended that the National Federations undertake a revision of their statutes to be in line according to the rules of their respective International Federations.
"These statutes should notably provide for a democratic electoral process, be adopted by the respective National Federation General Assemblies, and approved by the respective International Federation to which the National Federation is affiliated."
The statement also underscored the need for a review of the "Sports Act" to comply with principles of the Olympic movement.
It observed that "the current situation serves a unique opportunity to also review the entire framework of sports structure in the country for it to move unto a system of fair, democratic and transparent elections at all levels of the sports organisations in the country."
The IOC also reiterated its support towards the implementation of the recommendations but in a constructive manner towards the development of Ghana sports.
Source: GNA
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