Mahama targets modern Ho Sports Stadium rebuild ahead of Ghana’s 70th anniversary
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to transform the Ho Sports Stadium into a modern sporting facility as Ghana prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary next year.
The President made the remarks during an inspection tour of the ongoing redevelopment works at the stadium in the Volta Region, where he assessed progress on the project aimed at upgrading the facility to meet FIFA Category B standards.
The redevelopment forms part of efforts to improve Ghana’s sports infrastructure and position the Ho Stadium as a venue capable of hosting major national and international sporting events.
The stadium has suffered years of neglect, with challenges including a poor playing surface, flooding concerns and ageing spectator stands limiting its ability to host competitive football matches.
However, Mahama believes the facility’s strategic location and available surrounding land provide a strong foundation for its transformation into a world-class sporting and entertainment centre.
“As we know Ghana celebrates its 70th anniversary next year, and so we wonder by the time this stadium is also 70 years, we would have reconstructed it into a very modern facility," the President said.
“It has a very strategic central location in the municipality, which is an advantage, and it has sufficient land around it to build a very modern stadium here.”
Mahama explained that government will provide the necessary funding, complete architectural designs and engage stakeholders before construction begins.
“We will allocate the funds, we will do the designs, the designs will be brought back here, public interaction on the designs will be done and after that we will cut the sod for the work to commence.”
The President stressed that the upgraded Ho Sports Stadium will be designed as a multi-purpose facility rather than a venue used only for football.
“We want it to be a multi-use facility, not only for soccer but it must have other entertainment complexes," he stated.
According to Mahama, the redevelopment will include commercial spaces such as shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities to ensure the stadium remains economically active even when football matches are not taking place.
“The problem we have with most stadia is when we are not playing soccer, we are not doing anything with the stadium. And so this stadium will have shops, it will have entertainment, it will have restaurants and different facilities.”
The President further revealed that the renovated facility will feature a modern natural grass pitch equipped with an automated irrigation system, improved spectator stands and infrastructure capable of hosting CAF-approved competitions.
Mahama also reiterated Ghana’s ambition to develop at least five modern stadiums capable of hosting major continental tournaments, with the long-term goal of bringing the Africa Cup of Nations back to the country after Ghana hosted the competition in 2008.
The proposed transformation of the Ho Sports Stadium is expected to play a key role in expanding Ghana’s sporting infrastructure while creating a new hub for football, entertainment and commercial activities in the Volta Region.