Sports Minister Kofi Adams inspects Baba Yara stadium, pledges urgent renovations to meet CAF standards

As part of his ongoing nationwide assessment of Ghana's sports infrastructure, the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, on Wednesday, 9th July 2025, embarked on a working visit to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.The visit forms part of a broader initiative aimed at evaluating the current state of key sporting facilities across the country to inform policy decisions and investment priorities.The Minister was joined by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and was received by the Acting Regional Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA) along with technical personnel from the stadiums management team.The inspection exercise commenced with a closed-door briefing session during which Hon. Adams was updated on the stadiums existing challenges.The stadium, which underwent major upgrades in 2022 ahead of international engagements, now requires substantial refurbishment to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) licensing standards.During the walk-through, the Minister and his entourage examined key areas including the natural grass pitch, team dressing rooms, spectator stands, washrooms, floodlights, and the public address system.Concerns were raised about the deteriorating condition of the seating infrastructure, malfunctioning sound systems, damaged lighting towers, and the poor state of the dressing and washroom facilities.Hon. Adams stressed the urgent need to address these issues, particularly with Asante Kotoko and Bibiani GoldStars set to use the venue for their upcoming CAF inter-club campaigns for the 2025-26 season.He also emphasised the stadiums importance in reviving domestic football and enhancing the matchday experience for fans in Kumasi and beyond.Despite the prevailing budgetary limitations, the Minister indicated that his outfit is exploring innovative financing models including public-private partnerships and corporate sponsorships to fund renovation works.He assured stakeholders of the governments dedication to maintaining the Baba Yara Stadium as a beacon of Ghanaian football heritage and a tool for promoting national unity and development through sport.The visit served as a reaffirmation of the governments commitment to safeguarding national sports infrastructure and ensuring that facilities like the Baba Yara Stadium remain fit for purpose both now and in the future.Some photos below: Read Full Story