Parliament Approves $50m For Two Stadia

Parliament on Thursday approved a 50 million dollar loan agreement between the government and Barclays Bank Ghana Limited for the construction of Sekondi and Tamale stadia to be used for the CAN 2008 tournament.The amount is to be used as supplementary fund for the projects which were on-going.

While supporting the motion for the approval of the loan, the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr. Edward Doe Adjaho, questioned why the agreement between the government and the contractor was not brought to the House for approval.

He explained that laying the agreement before the House for approval was a constitutional obligation and that it would enable Members of Parliament to appraise themselves of the project especially the facilities to be provided in the stadia.

But Mr. Felix Owusu-Adjapong, the Majority Leader assured that the government was prepared to bring to the House the constructional agreement it had signed with the contractor.

Although each of the stadia is expected to accommodate over 20,000 spectators Alhaji Abubakari Sumani (NDC Tamale North) wondered whether the capacity of the Tamale Stadium can accommodate the numerous soccer fans in the region as well as those expected to come and watch the tournament from neighbouring countries.

Mr. Stephen Balado Manu (NPP-Ahafo Ano South), commended the government for putting up the project in Tamale explaining that it would sandy the footballers from the ordeal of playing on the gravel surface of the Kaladan Park popularly referred to as "Sakora Park".

Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (NPP-Suame), the Majority Chief Whip, in his contribution said the project would go a long way to improve sports development in the country but expressed the need for the MPs to be apprised with the capacity and the facilities to be provided under the project.