Baba Yara And Essipong Stadia Will Be Restored To Past Glory –Kofi Adams

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has visited the Essipong and the Baba Yara Sports Stadia, as part of the government’s renewed commitment to restoring major sporting facilities across the country.

His visit forms part of a broader national agenda aimed at upgrading deteriorating stadiums and reviving their relevance within Ghana’s sporting landscape.

During his tour of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the Minister emphasised the historic significance of the facility, describing it as one of the preferred home grounds of the Black Stars, where the national team has traditionally performed strongly.

The stadium has hosted several high-profile matches, including World Cup qualifiers between Ghana and Nigeria. However, despite undergoing major renovations as recently as 2020, the stadium has again fallen behind in its development and was declared unfit by CAF to host international matches, forcing Asante Kotoko to relocate their CAF Confederation Cup home games to the Accra Sports Stadium.

As part of the visit, Kofi Adams and his technical team assessed the facility’s current condition. The Regional Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Kwame Baah Mensah, outlined several critical issues affecting the stadium, including faulty safe zones, non-functional floodlights, deteriorated washrooms, high electricity bills, damaged reserve benches, non-operational irrigation pumps and an obsolete public-address system.

He also highlighted the urgent need to refurbish the playing turf and concerns regarding the security zone designated for players and officials. Kofi Adams reiterated the President’s directive to restore Baba Yara to its former glory as a symbol of national pride.

“This stadium has a storied history and holds a special place in the hearts of Ghanaians. We are committed to ensuring it meets international standards once again,” he stated.

The Minister for Sports and Recreation added that reviving the facility would not only preserve its legacy but also enhance its potential to generate revenue and boost local economic development.

Following the Kumasi inspection, the Minister proceeded to the Essipong Sports Stadium, where he noted that the facility was in an even more critical state and required swift intervention. Constructed in 2008 for the Africa Cup of Nations, the once-vibrant 20,000-capacity stadium has suffered severe deterioration due to years of neglect and inadequate maintenance.

During the tour, Kofi Adams, accompanied by the Director General of the NSA, Mr. Yaw Ampofu Ankrah, received briefing on the extent of rehabilitation required.

Phases I and II of the planned renovation works include reroofing with anti-rust materials, installing a new scoreboard, replacing damaged seats, refurbishing washrooms, upgrading lighting systems and installing air-conditioning units.

Although some progress has been made, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work.

A major concern highlighted during the visit was the encroachment on the stadium’s lands by private developers. Adams urged the Regional Coordinating Council and traditional authorities to intervene immediately to protect the facility’s boundaries and future expansion potential.

The Minister for Sports and Recreation further outlined additional upgrades needed to bring Essipong up to standard, including refurbishing the pitch, enhancing the PA system, improving corporate boxes, and upgrading hostel facilities, security zones, and dressing rooms.

These enhancements, he noted, are essential to restoring the stadium’s capacity to host major sporting and entertainment events.

Kofi Adams reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revitalising sports infrastructure nationwide, but acknowledged that funding remains a significant challenge.

He appealed to the media to support awareness and advocacy efforts for the National Sports Development Fund, which he described as crucial to sustaining long-term sports development initiatives.

Despite concerns over delays, the Minister commended the quality of work completed so far and assured the public that urgent measures would be taken to make the Essipong Stadium fully functional as soon as possible. He stressed that both Baba Yara and Essipong are national assets that must not be allowed to deteriorate further.

With intensified efforts expected in the coming months, many Ghanaians remain optimistic that these iconic facilities will soon regain their status as vibrant centers of unity and sporting excellence.

By Jesse Otoo

The post Baba Yara And Essipong Stadia Will Be Restored To Past Glory –Kofi Adams appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story