Former National Sports Authority (NSA) Director General Kwadwo Baah-Agyemang has criticised the government’s handling of sports infrastructure funding, warning that inadequate investment continues to hinder sports development in Ghana.
His remarks follow concerns raised by the current NSA Director General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, about the poor state of the country’s stadiums ahead of Ghana’s preparations to host the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Baah-Agyemang said the situation did not come as a surprise, insisting that Ghana has consistently failed to prioritise the maintenance of its sports facilities.
“I have reiterated that Ghana has a poor attitude towards stadium maintenance, which affects the progress of our football,” he said.
The former NSA boss also criticised the government’s approach to financing major sporting events, arguing that the challenges surrounding the organisation of the African Athletics Championships were largely due to inadequate funding.
“The government recently hosted the African Athletics Championships, and the poor organisation embarrassed the country. It was all due to funding. The government is not prepared to commit enough money to such projects,” he said.
Baah-Agyemang believes that unless the government changes its approach to funding and maintaining sports facilities, Ghana’s ambitions of improving its sporting standards will continue to face setbacks.
Ghana is set to host the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations as part of activities marking the country’s 70th Independence Anniversary, with preparations underway to ensure the venues are ready for the continental tournament.
