The Chairman for the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has raised concerns over the ban placed on Ghana by CAF to host FIFA sanctioned matches despite spending millions of cedis to renovate stadiums in the country.
According to him, government has since 2020, released over GHC85 million to contractors to refurbish three of the national stadiums to keep them in good shape to host international tournaments.
However, Ghana has been banned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the usage of a poor pitch used to play an African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
In a 1-0 defeat to Angola Thursday, September 05, 2024, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, the poor nature of the field became evident when concerns were raised by both the playing body and spectators, both in the Stadium and those watching on television.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ablakwa says government has committed huge sums of monies into the renovation of the various stadiums including the Essipong Stadium in Takoradi, the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi as well as the Accra Sports Stadium in the national capital.
Speaking on the KeyPoints on TV3 Saturday, Mr. Ablakwa indicated that the Essipong Sports Stadium should have saved Ghana the embarassment it got after playing the qualifiers on a poor pitch.
“14 July, 2023, this is a letter signed by Honorable Dr. John A. Kumah. God bless his soul. May his soul continue to rest in peace. He issued a warrant for the release of GHC41.9 million for the rehabilitation of the Essipong Sports Stadium. Essipong GHC41.9 million, only last year. Talk to your sports journalists. I have been there. 41.9 million, no show. At least Essipong should have saved us today. I mean, such a monumental international disgrace.
“Baba Yara Sports Stadium, where we had the total embarrassment, are you aware that another contract of GHC21.1 million, and this is a letter signed by Francois, Chief Director, awarded to a company called Javkier, GHC21.1 million, 27th of March, 2020. And I’ve tracked their payments. I have all their payment vouchers here. They’ve all been paid promptly.
“Then you come to Accra Sports Stadium. I have here a company called Coupbay, another intercepted document. They have paid them GHC22.4 million. Over 85 million [in all].
