The Upper East, Upper West and North East regions are among seven regions selected to receive new 5,000-seat multipurpose stadia under a GH¢600 million government programme to expand sports infrastructure across the country.
The commitment was announced by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in the 2027 Budget, which provides GH¢782 million to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.
Under the programme, seven 5,000-seater multipurpose regional stadia will be constructed in the Western North, North East, Ahafo, Upper East, Upper West, Bono East and Oti regions.
The government will also construct two 10,000-seat stadia in the Savannah and Bono regions, while the Volta Region is expected to receive a 12,000-seat multipurpose facility.
The inclusion of the Upper East, Upper West, North East and Savannah regions means four of the ten proposed stadium projects will be located in Northern Ghana.
For the beneficiary regions, the proposed facilities could address longstanding infrastructure gaps that have limited the organisation of major sporting events and the development of local sporting talent.
The absence of standard multipurpose stadia in several parts of the country has often forced teams, sports associations and event organisers to rely on limited facilities or travel to other regions for competitions.
The proposed projects could provide improved venues for football, athletics, community sporting events and other activities, while creating opportunities for local businesses involved in hospitality, transport, food vending and event services.
They could also strengthen the development of grassroots sports by giving young athletes access to facilities where they can train and compete.
However, the budget does not specify the exact locations within the beneficiary regions, the designs of the facilities or the individual cost of each stadium.
It also does not provide a construction timetable or indicate when the first projects are expected to be completed.
The GH¢600 million provision will therefore require careful scrutiny to establish whether it will adequately cover construction, equipment, supporting infrastructure and other essential facilities.
Beyond the initial construction, government will also need to provide a sustainable maintenance and management plan to prevent the stadia from deteriorating or becoming underutilised.
The choice of locations will be equally important. Regional capitals may appear convenient, but authorities must consider accessibility for communities across each region and the potential of the facilities to serve as centres for wider sporting development.
The proposed investments represent a significant opportunity for the three northern regions and Savannah to improve their sporting infrastructure.
The ultimate test, however, will be whether the projects are completed to the promised standards and become functional facilities that support local talent, sporting competitions and community development.
Source: www/kumasimail.com
