Dr Amoah, the head of Ghana's bid committee, celebrates the news

Ghana has won the right to host the 2008 African Cup of Nations.

The 13-man executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) voted 9-3 in the nation's favour at a meeting in Cairo on Thursday.

Senegal's Mawade Wade, a Caf executive member, was absent for the vote.

The Ghanaian bid committee cheered in celebration when the result was announced.

"God has answered our prayers," Dr Kofi Amoah, the head of the committee, told BBC Sport.

Libya, which was seeking to host the tournament for their first time since 1982, was the only candidate Ghana was bidding against.

We promise Caf they will be proud of their decision when the time comes Dr Kofi Amoah

Dr Amoah says Caf will not regret awarding his country the right to host the Nations Cup.

"This was the happiest moment of my life," Amoah said.

"It is a great day for my country and for African football.

"Hosting the 2008 Nations Cup is a huge boost for my nation and will help develop our economy.

"We thank Caf and we promise them that they will be proud of their decision when the time comes."

Amoah appeared unconcerned about the fact that his country will have to start building two stadiums from scratch, as opposed to the Libyans who proposed four stadiums in their bid.

"Hosting the tournament shall provide the necessary catalyst for making these investments," Amoah added.

Caf to name 2008 hosts

Ghana will use four venues - Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi, Tamale - at the Nations Cup.

As soon as the declaration was announced by Caf president Issa Hayatou, the Libyan delegation left the hall and refused to comment on the decision.

In 2000, Ghana became one of the first two nations in the world to co-host a major international football tournament when the country staged the Nations Cup with Nigeria.

The 2008 tournament will be the fourth time Ghana has hosted the Nations Cup, after the West Africans also staged the event in 1963 and 1978.