The Astroturf located in Effiakuma, within the Effiakuma Constituency, was completely submerged following hours of heavy rainfall over the weekend.
A viral video captured scenes of residents—mostly children and teenagers—swimming and playing football on the waterlogged pitch, which had effectively transformed into a massive pool.
The facility, constructed by Ghana Gas at an estimated cost of $200,000, began in 2018. At the time, Joseph Cudjoe, then Member of Parliament for the Effia Constituency, emphasised the importance of such recreational spaces in nurturing local football talent.
He stated, “The reason for the plethora of recreational facilities in Effia is to use them as a vehicle through which football talents develop. These parks are where the awakening of the national teams that we want will begin. Many of such astro turfs will be built all over Effia.”
By 2020, the pitch was completed and officially opened to the public.
However, drainage concerns have plagued the facility for years. David Tetteh, a retired footballer and academy coach at Sedan FC, confirmed that flooding has been a recurring issue.
“This was not the first time we have seen it flood. Usually, after a few hours of rain, the surface area gets filled with rainwater,” he said.
“This time, it rained for a while, so I am not surprised that the entire playing surface was submerged in water,” he added.
The latest flooding incident highlights the ongoing drainage problems, which were severely tested by the persistent rains that hit the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.
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