NSA targets completing renovation of five major stadia by end of 2027

Acting NSA Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, says it is targeting the renovation of all five major stadia in Ghana by the end of next year as efforts intensify to address the country's shortage of venues that meet international football standards.

Ghana has struggled in recent years to secure stadiums that meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA requirements, forcing the country to rely on limited venues for international matches.

The Accra Sports Stadium remains the only facility with conditional approval to host matches. It last hosted a Black Stars fixture in September, when Ghana suffered a 4-2 defeat to The Gambia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Speaking on Asempa FM, Professor Osei Sarpong outlined the authority's renovation priorities, explaining that work would progress from Essipong and Accra to Kumasi, Tamale and Cape Coast.

According to him, work is being undertaken in phases, with the Accra Sports Stadium and Essipong Stadium among the facilities expected to receive attention first.

"[Hoping to complete] Essipong and Accra stadia, then we go and tackle Kumasi [Baba Yara Sports Stadium], then we proceed to Tamale [Aliu Mahama Stadium], then we think of Cape Coast. [The stadium] was neglected just like Essipong," he said.

"We are gradually fixing the stadia. In the next one year or so, we will not be having problems with venues for our matches," he added.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is pushing for the Essipong Stadium to host the Black Stars' upcoming double-header against Somalia in the Matchday 3 and 4 fixtures of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Professor Osei Sarpong disclosed that the football association is keen on using the Sekondi-based facility for the two matches later this month.

Essipong recently hosted its first competitive international fixture in seven years when the Black Queens defeated Mauritius 7-0 on October 13 in an Olympic Games qualifying match.

The proposed rehabilitation of the five major stadia is expected to improve Ghana's chances of hosting international football matches without having to rely on a limited number of approved venues.