The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has announced with considerable enthusiasm that the Baba Yara Stadium will be fully operational for the first game of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s football infrastructure.
The NSA boss toured the facility with NSA Board Chairman, Dr Fred Awaah, and the NSA Estate Boss, Mr Ebo, meticulously assessing the progress of the stadium’s restoration. The tour commenced on August 21, 2023, with Mr Ampofo Ankrah expressing confidence that the facility would be ready in time for the new football season, a timeframe he anticipates will allow for the commencement of matches including the Ghana Premier League and potential international engagements.
The inspection process involved a thorough assessment of the stadium’s pitch, with Mr Ampofo Ankrah praising the Ashanti Regional Directorate’s dedicated efforts to restore the facility to full functionality. He specifically noted the progress on the pitch surface, noting that the current treatment is responding positively to the rehabilitation process. Specifically, the inspection revealed that the pitch’s condition was deemed adequate for football matches, though it lacked some of the modern equipment currently utilized in professional stadiums, a point Mr Ampofo Ankrah emphasized in his remarks.
Furthermore, the inspection encompassed a comprehensive examination of the stadium’s scoreboard and floodlights, confirming their stability and readiness for the new season’s matches. Mr Ampofo Ankrah stated, “We don’t have the tools that are common; we will acquire them soon, but I commend them [Ashanti Regional Directorate] for tackling the weeds from its source. In the past, when the sprinklers were not working, they resorted to the Fire Service and other means to ensure the grass doesn’t die. Perhaps people didn’t understand the images, but now they do.” He also addressed the recent video circulating online showing groundkeepers using hoes to work on the pitch, a situation that prompted a defensive response from the NSA, emphasizing that the facility currently lacks the necessary modern equipment.
The NSA’s decision regarding the use of the Baba Yara Stadium for Black Stars’ home games remains subject to discussion with the Ministry of Sports and the Ghana Football Association (GFA), following consultations with engineers responsible for the stadium’s upkeep. Mr Ampofo Ankrah stated, “The decision on whether the national team will utilize the facility rests with the Ministry of Sports and the Ghana Football Association, after consultations with the engineers responsible for the stadium. We are committed to ensuring the stadium is ready to host the Black Stars’ matches, and the NSA will continue to work diligently to achieve that goal.” The restoration project, however, has already presented challenges, with more than 3,000 seats still requiring repair following a violent school sports competition in January, resulting in damage to some seating elements.
Despite these repairs, the NSA has pledged to fund the restoration of the damaged seats, recognizing the vital role they play in enhancing the stadium’s usability for football enthusiasts and the overall sporting experience within Ghana.
The project is being carried out with a focus on ensuring the stadium remains a safe and accessible space for football activities, with the Ashanti Regional Directorate’s commitment to funding the repair of damaged seats being a key component of the ongoing efforts. The Ghana Education Service has also agreed to contribute to the restoration of the damaged seats, demonstrating a collaborative approach to supporting the stadium’s revitalization.
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Source: Adom Sports
