Upkeep tradition in Ghana is virtually non-existent and has been a ‘ghost’ apply for ages.
That is no totally different within the sports activities area regardless of the Sports activities Ministry and Nationwide Sports activities Authority charged with making certain that the nation’s sports activities amenities are properly taken of.
Through the years, sports activities stadiums, arenas, complexes, and facilities, have been left to rot everywhere in the nation.
This, Ghana’s new Sports activities and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddie Adam has pledged to make a thing of the past. Nevertheless, such pledges with no motion have been approach too widespread in Ghanaian politics.
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However Adams, throughout his look earlier than the Appointments Committee on Thursday, January 30, 2025, stated poor upkeep tradition should change.
We can’t enable our amenities to deteriorate to the extent that we face bans from utilizing them. Strengthening our upkeep tradition shall be a precedence to maintain them in high situation.
Earlier than that occurs although, what are some deserted sports activities infrastructures the minister and newly appointed NSA Director Normal Yaw Ampofo Ankrah ought to direct their consideration to?
Under are 5 deserted sports activities infrastructures throughout Ghana
1. Azumah Nelson Sports activities Complicated
It’s a disgrace actually what a facility named after a two-time world champion and boxing corridor of famer has been diminished to. The Azumah Nelson Sports activities Complicated is an eyesore.
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The power situated in Kaneshie was a part of 10 Youth Useful resource Centres set for development in 2018, and meant to be completed in 9 months to function a multipurpose sports activities heart, accommodating over 40 totally different sporting disciplines upon completion.
Nevertheless, seven years later, it’s in a sorry state unbefitting for a legend.
There’s a glimmer of hope if Minister of Youth Improvement and Empowerment, George Opare Addo’s promise on January 30, 2025, to renovate the power to supply native youth with the chance to develop their sporting abilities is fulfilled.
2. Essipong Sports activities Stadium
Regardless of a daring declare by then Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta that renovation works on the Sekondi Sports activities Stadium, popularly often known as Essipong Stadium, was 90% full through the presentation of the 2021 Finances Assertion on the ground of Parliament, it’s a shadow of its previous glory.
Commissioned in 2008 with a seating capability of 20,000, the stadium hosted a number of matches through the 2008 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and served as the house floor for Sekondi Hasaacas FC.
However years of neglect has led to components ripping off, washrooms deteriorating, seats coming off, sand protecting main stands. The stadium now seems like a large pile of scrap metals and concrete.
3. Dormaa Multipurpose Sports activities Complicated
The Dormaa Multipurpose, in response to reviews, price seven million Ghana cedis to assemble however has been deserted since 2020. For 5 years now, weeds and crops have taken over the FIFA commonplace pitch and operating tracks.
As of mid-2024, reviews recommend the stands and washroom have been the one accomplished components. Main components stay uncompleted.
4. Navrongo Sports activities Complicated
Damaged seats, overgrown weeds, unplayable pitch, characterise the deserted Navrongo Sports activities Complicated in a submit shared by famend sports activities journalist Saddick Adams in July 2024.
5. Bolgatanga Multipurpose Sports activities Court docket
In 2011, former President John Evans Atta Mills allotted $100,000 for the development of a multipurpose sports activities court docket in Bolgatanga. Nevertheless, 14 years later, that has not been realised with the contractor no approach to be discovered.
The venture was meant to incorporate Volleyball, Hand Ball and Basketball courts contained in the non-functional Bolgatanga Sports activities Stadium, however after 40% % work was accomplished by the contractor per the Finance Ministry’s venture progress Report, the venture was deserted.
Weeds and shrubs have taken over the power which now serves as a den for drug addicts.
The anticipated exterior works to be finished which included soil drainage, driveway drains, gravelling, and fencing weren’t additionally accomplished within the venture progress Report.
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Tens of millions of {dollars} of taxpayers’ cash can’t maintain taking place the drain. This angle of negligence should change as quickly as potential.
