Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has promised swift action to restore the iconic Baba Yara Sports Stadium to an acceptable standard, following a working visit that revealed the facility’s alarming state of disrepair.
Accompanied by Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene and a team of technical experts, Mr Adams toured the stadium to assess the extent of the decline.
The visit uncovered a catalogue of problems. The Regional Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Kwame Baah Mensah, listed numerous challenges, including malfunctioning floodlights, broken washrooms, outdated public address systems, worn-out player benches, skyrocketing electricity costs, and an irrigation system that hasn’t worked in years. Security lapses in critical zones were also flagged.
Speaking after the inspection, the minister described the situation as unacceptable and stressed the urgency of intervention.
“The Baba Yara Stadium holds historic significance and must be restored to meet modern standards,” Mr Adams said. “Every effort will be made to ensure its revival.”
He further revealed that the rehabilitation directive came directly from President John Dramani Mahama, who has made the refurbishment of key national sports infrastructure a top priority.
Built in 1957 and formally inaugurated as a football stadium in 1959, Baba Yara has long served as the heartbeat of Ghanaian football, hosting major events such as the 2022 World Cup qualifier between Ghana and Nigeria. It is also the spiritual home of the Black Stars, who have enjoyed memorable wins on its turf.
Despite a phased renovation project that began in 2020, with upgrades to the pitch, tartan track, and lighting systems completed in 2022, the stadium was recently deemed unfit by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international matches.
This latest pledge of restoration comes as a renewed beacon of hope for Kumasi and Ghanaian football fans.
Mr Adams also stressed that the impact of the stadium goes beyond sport.
“This facility has the capacity to boost local economic activity,” he noted. “We are committed to restoring its value and purpose.”
The Ministry of Sports and Recreation is expected to announce details of the restoration plan, including timelines and scope of work, in the coming weeks.
