Sports
Sports Minister Vows Baba Yara Stadium Revamp Ahead of CAF Competitions
The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr. Kofi Iddie Adams, on Wednesday, July 9, paid a working visit to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi as part of a nationwide tour to assess the state of Ghana’s major sports facilities and identify both immediate and long-term renovation needs.
Welcomed by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and officials from the National Sports Authority (NSA) led by the Acting Regional Director, Mr. Adams conducted a thorough inspection of the stadium’s infrastructure.
The visit comes at a critical moment, as Ghanaian football clubs Asante Kotoko and Bibiani Gold Stars gear up for participation in upcoming CAF Inter-Club competitions. Though the Baba Yara Stadium underwent a major facelift in 2022, the venue has since deteriorated due to lack of maintenance and critical infrastructural issues.
Key problems highlighted by the NSA during the tour included a malfunctioning irrigation system leading to poor pitch conditions, non-operational floodlights, faulty public address systems, damaged dressing rooms, outdated spectator seating, and a backlog of unpaid utility bills. Additionally, the stadium’s scoreboard has been relocated and the reserve team benches are in urgent need of replacement.
These deficiencies have hindered the stadium’s ability to host major local and international fixtures, sparking renewed concerns over its readiness for high-level matches.
Mr. Adams stressed the pivotal role of Kumasi in Ghana’s football heritage, describing Baba Yara Stadium as the “Mecca of Ghana football.” He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring the facility to international standards, saying the football-loving people of the Ashanti Region deserve a modern, world-class stadium.
To reduce the financial burden on sports infrastructure, the Minister revealed ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Energy to review utility tariffs for sports venues. He also shared plans to promote sustainable sports development, including the installation of solar-powered lighting and borehole-supported natural grass pitches.
Finally, Mr. Adams assured the Ashanti Regional Minister of full collaboration to fast-track essential upgrades and ensure the stadium is ready to host CAF matches in the coming months.
Head coach of Ghana’s national U-15 team Fatawu Salifu has praised Kurt Okraku for initiatives aimed at strengthening coaching development in the country.
Salifu believes the leadership of the Ghana Football Association has placed strong focus on improving the education and training of coaches at different levels of the game.
He explained that several programmes have been introduced to give coaches more opportunities to upgrade their knowledge and skills.
According to him, these initiatives are helping trainers better guide young footballers across the country.
Salifu noted that in the past many coaches struggled due to a lack of mentorship and limited access to proper training.
However, he believes recent efforts by the football governing body are gradually changing that situation.
The coach pointed to workshops and continuous learning programmes as key steps toward building a more professional coaching environment.
Following the events in the Middle East, President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has met with the Black Queens to appeal for calm. He assured the team that the GFA has, over the last 24 to 48 hours, engaged with all stakeholders, including Ghana’s mission in the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and our Security Advisors, in its quest to find the right solution to the problem.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (Hon.), and Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams (Hon.), have both called to offer the nation’s support to the team during this period.
The GFA respectfully asks everyone to be calm as we monitor the situation. We will keep our stakeholders updated should there be further developments.
The Black Queens have been in the United Arab Emirates for the past week to prepare for the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
According to reports kpdonline.com is gathering, the team is likely to redraw from the ongoing Pink Ladies Cup following, Tension in the Middle East.
Credit: Ghana FA Communication
Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has confirmed that Ghana is considering of adding another high profile Friendly game as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We are not going there to just go and participate, our intention is to stay there till the last day, reason why we have augmented the technical team, we are in talks to have another high profile Friendly in the coming weeks, talks are ongoing and it will be confirmed soon” Adams told Citi Sports,
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has added five new faces to the technical team, including French coach Alain Ravera as assistant coach, and performance coach Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi.
These appointments aim to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness in the tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, and will look to break their best World Cup record, reaching the quarter-finals in South Africa 2010.
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