The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has pledged to restore the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to an acceptable standard following a recent working visit to the facility.
Accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei-Mensah, the Minister was welcomed by the Acting Regional Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA) and technical staff of the stadium.
The visit began with a closed-door briefing, where the Minister was updated on the current condition of the stadium, critical infrastructure challenges, and the urgent renovation needs required for the facility to meet international licensing standards.
Following the briefing, the Minister led a comprehensive inspection of key areas including the pitch, dressing rooms, safety zones, spectator stands, and other operational sections. Although the stadium underwent renovations in 2022 in preparation for international events, several issues persist. Among the major concerns identified were the deteriorating natural grass pitch, a non-functional public address system, worn-out changing and washroom facilities, faulty floodlights, and damaged seating areas.
Hon. Adams stressed the importance of restoring Baba Yara Stadium to optimal condition not only for Asante Kotoko and Bibiani Gold Stars’ participation in upcoming CAF Inter-Club competitions, but also to revitalize local football and enhance the match-day experience for fans in Kumasi. He pledged to collaborate with the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council and other key stakeholders to ensure that immediate maintenance and long-term upgrades are carried out.
Despite financial challenges in the sports sector, the Minister noted that the Ministry is actively exploring innovative funding solutions, including public-private partnerships, to support the rehabilitation of major sports facilities. He also revealed that discussions are ongoing with corporate stakeholders to rally support for the needed renovations.
The Baba Yara Sports Stadium stands as a historic symbol of Ghanaian football and holds a special place in the hearts of fans in Kumasi and beyond. The Minister’s visit underscores the government’s commitment to preserving such vital national assets and leveraging sports as a tool for national development and unity.
