Renovation work on Essipong Stadium cannot be 90% complete – Western Regional Minister

The rehabilitation of Essipong Sports Stadium in the Western Region continues to generate controversy.

The contractor working on the rehabilitation of the facility claims ninety percent of the work has been done.

Unfortunately, delay in the execution of the contract, poor state of the current structure, and damage caused to virtually all parts of the stadium paint a gloomy picture.

The first phase of the contract was limited to only roofing, according to officials of the National Sports Authority (NSA) which has been done.

Destruction of seats, lighting system, Air conditions, doors is evident. There is complete neglect of the facility over time, and nothing shows that the rehabilitation was 90% complete.

The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, discovered all these challenges on Wednesday 19th March 2025 when he visited the stadium as part of his working visit to the National Sports Authority (NSA) offices to ascertain challenges facing them and proffer solutions required to address them.

At the end of touring the Essipong Sports stadium, the Minister concluded that the projection made by stakeholders that rehabilitation of the stadium was ninety percent (90%) complete was clearly a deception “The reality on the ground doesn’t reflect it”

Addressing the Management and staff of the National Sports Authority, the Minister said “I came here this afternoon to see for myself. A lot has been reported on it, and a lot has been said about it.”

Unfortunately, he said the current picture of the stadium doesn’t look good at all for sports administration and talent development.

“We all had the hope that it was going to contribute to improve sports in the region.

“To see the facility in the state it is now, is worrying.  A lot needs to be done to bring this place up to the standard required. The roof a lone doesn’t make a stadium,” he lamented.

For the Minister, talent development in the region hinges on quality of sports facilities “The stadium is the fulcrum around which sports revolves,” he noted.

He said his administration would work assiduously with the authority to change the narrative, “We need to go back to the drawing board to see how we resurrect this place. It will be in our interest to bring this up.”

He said the current state of the Essipong stadium requires all hands-on deck “This is a major challenge. Some major works will have to be done.”

He nonetheless assured workers of the National Sports Authority of the commitment of government to improve sporting facilities in the country including that of Essipong for the sake of harnessing talents.

Mr Nelson announced that the sector, Minister Kofi Adams, would visit the region to assess the current state of the stadium and deal decisively with the challenges facing the stadium.

“I believe that he will do something about it. Help is on its way. Sports Minister will come, and definitely he will bring hope,” he assured.

The Minister further assured them that whatever support the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) can give the Authority, he would champion that to reduce some of the critical challenges facing them.

The poor sporting facilities in the region, he revealed, could be blamed for poor performance of teams in the region including Hassacas, Eleven Wise, and why sports generally is going down.

Developing sports, he said remains one of the viable fields for investment. “It is a huge area for employment,” the Minister said.

He encouraged the staff of NSA not to give up but continue to work for development of sports in the region.

Joseph Nelson explained that the renovation of the stadium, when completed should serve as a motivation for the workers to rededicate themselves to their duties.

Again, he said Sekondi Takoradi will be alive again following the completion of the renovation works and commencement of sporting activities in the region.

His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic, he said is very committed to revive sports in the country and Western Region would not be left out.

 

The post Renovation work on Essipong Stadium cannot be 90% complete – Western Regional Minister first appeared on 3News.

Read Full Story