Ghana becomes 23rd nation to receive Commonwealth Games relay baton

Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, on Saturday morning received the Queen’s relay baton for this year’s Commonwealth Games scheduled for next July.

Mr Sharad Rao, Chair of Magistrates and Judges of the Vetting Board of the Commonwealth Games, presented the baton to the Vice President, at the Flagstaff House in Accra.

The baton contains a special message from Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, and it launches the Games in Ghana with a march across some principal streets in Accra.

The special message in the baton, which would be opened later, is believed to highlight on the importance of Games in bringing the family of the Commonwealth together, and to seek material and financial support for the event, which comes off in in Glasgow from July 23 to August 3, 2014

Ghana is the 23rd nation to receive the baton, after Sierra Leone, from among 70 listed  nations.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur said the presence of the baton is an important tourism opportunity, and it will showcase Ghana’s culture.

He assured Ghanaians of government’s support  for the  contingent to the games.

Present at the presentation were Professor  Francis Dodoo, President of the Ghana Olympic Commiteee, and some Olympic gold medalists, including Barima “Professor” Azumah Nelson, Mr Oko Arday,  and Mr Mike Ahey.

Source: GNA