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(FIFAworldcup.com) Accra, capital of Ghana, 6 January 2006, 8.30am. Despite the early hour, it is already a sweltering 32 degrees at the International Conference Center. The guests are arriving for the FIFA World Cup? Trophy unveiling ceremony, welcomed by the already lively 'Showtime' orchestra and an army of tam-tams. Just short of 1,000 people are squeezing into this great amphitheatre to witness the first leg of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, which will see the Cup traverse 28 countries in 120 days.

Within the auditorium, the atmosphere is relaxed, as members of the official Black Stars supporters' club sing and dance in anticipation of the ceremony proper. Abedi Pele, a former hero of Ghanaian football and now a FIFA ambassador, is chatting quietly with Marcel Desailly. The French FIFA World Cup winner of Ghanaian origin is having a house built not far from Accra and has dropped by to get a piece of the excitement.

On the stage, one speech follows another, regulated by the vocal harmonies of the Winneba Youth Choir. In a general sense, it amounts to a celebration of the FIFA World Cup's role in 'breaking down barriers', the slogan of this tour.

Philip Aviyor, director of the Coca-Cola franchise for Equatorial Africa, notes that: "It's all firsts for Ghana at the moment: first participation in a World Cup, first venue for the trophy here. So why not a first world champions' title?" His words provoke rapture among the audience.

None of the speakers can resist playing to the gallery by emphasising that as well as opening this triumphal tour, Ghana is also set on bringing the trophy back home in July 2006. "That's it now, the trophy is in Ghana!" Abedi Pele exclaims to resounding cheers. The country's minister of sport, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, amuses the crowd by declaring: "It will be the final of the two Gs: Germany and Ghana. But as we've never won it before, it will be our turn to bring the trophy back home!"

The next scheduled speaker is none other than the President of the Republic, H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor. Surrounded by armed men and a posse of photographers, he arrives around 10.30am. It is soon time for him to unveil the new trophy, which arrived in Accra two days previously protected like a Head of State. It has been locked up in a safe ever since. Silvio Gazzaniga's creation is being treated with the utmost care.

Before being exhibited to the public, a 3-D film is shown on a giant screen, detailing the trophy's rebirth and explaining the globe, the ball, the sprawling elements and the arms that hold the ball aloft. The film also offers an insight into what the Cup means to the players involved, courtesy of archive footage of the winners since 1974 recalling how Maradona, Tardelli, Zidane, and Beckenbauer have battled valiantly and shed tears for this very special statuette.

With the audience now on tenterhooks, President Kufuor keeps them waiting a little longer. "Football is a vehicle for peace, unity and development. The World Cup offers players the chance to test themselves against the best on the planet and, most importantly, to bring joy to their people. I am happy to see that the supporters are already getting behind the Black Stars - it's truly marvellous!" The song and dance in the stands intensifies.

The moment of truth has arrived. The trophy is in place upon its glass case. President Kufuor, with visible emotion, lifts it for all to see. In a sense, he is privileged, as no one apart from FIFA World Cup winners normally gets to raise the trophy aloft. A vast murmur of admiration rises up from the auditorium and the flash bulbs start to crackle. Finally, the guests are allowed on stage to get a close look at the trophy and commit the moment to celluloid.

Shining in the eyes of all these Ghanaians, the same dream can be discerned: could the Black Stars be brandishing this glorious globe in Berlin next July? Here today, it is tantamount to a fait accompli!