Days to go and the buzz surrounding the 2006 Glo-CAF awards is blaring with the official launch of the awards in Accra on Wednesday by organisers, Globacom.
Africa and the rest of the world would be counting down to the naming of the next African Footballer of the Year.
Chelsea star, Michael Essien would be attempting to be the next Ghana player after Abedi Ayew Pele to win the African Player of the Year Award.
Essien would come up against Chelsea teammate, Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast and Cameroon’s Samuel Eto Fils for the award that the Cameroonian has won three times.
Apart from Michael Essien, the nation has three more award nominees on her cards.
Ghana has two other players and one of the national sides for the various awards categories for March’s event.
The senior national team, the Black Stars after an impressive run at the World Cup where they became the continent’s only country to make into the round of 16 have been entered into the National Team of the Year award category.
Other teams vying for this award alongside Ghana’s senior side are reigning African champions Egypt and Ivory Coast.
For the individual awards, Black Stars striker, Asamoah Gyan guns for the African Young Player of the Year award.
Sheila Okine, a member of Ghana’s senior women’s team, the Black Queens has earned a nomination for the Women’s Footballer of the Year award.
Nigeria’s Cynthia Nwak and South Africa’s Portia Modise are also in contention for the award.
Okine, is the third female footballer from Ghana after Alberta Sackey and Adjoa Bayor - both past winners, who is seeking the Women's Footballer of the Year award.
Aside the individual and team awards that are expected to highlight the night, there would be another honour for Ghana.
Ghana President, J.A. Kufour picks up the Glo-CAF Platinum Award specially created for government officials who have used their office to promote the development of football and foster peace in Africa.
The Ghana President, who is the second recipient of the award would be conferred with the special award on March 1 during the continents football awards night in Accra.
Officials of Globacom, award sponsors announced at a world press conference on Wednesday in Accra during the launch of the 2006 Glo-CAF awards.
According to Globacom, the fortunes of the Ghana’s senior team, the Black Stars has seen a tremendous improvement under the administration of the country’s President.
“Some years back, the Black Stars lost their twinkle and were no longer a force in African Football. But today, the world has risen to acknowledge the return of the Stars and it could not have been possible if the government and people of Ghana did not join hands to provide the enabling environment.
“For this achievement, the President of Ghana, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufour has been listed as the recipient of the 2006 Glo-CAF Platinum Award,” Bode Opeseitan, Globacom’s Head of Public Relations and Outdoor Advertising said.