Aduana FC Chief Atta Poku has welcomed the government’s renewed commitment to improving sports infrastructure, describing quality football facilities across the country as a potential “game changer” for Ghana football.
The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, announced that the government has revised its plan to construct mini stadia, expanding the project from the initially promised six to ten facilities.
Speaking on the infrastructure plans announced at the Ghana Football Association’s 32nd Ordinary Congress, Poku said the availability of quality stadiums in major football centres would have a direct impact on the development of the domestic game.
“We’ve seen venues that have been approved and venues that have not been approved. Now, if you have a stadium in Sunyani, if you have a stadium in Koforidua, if you have a stadium in Kumasi, if you have a stadium in Wa, it improves the league significantly,” he said.
According to Poku, the benefits would extend beyond simply providing venues for league matches. He believes properly maintained infrastructure would contribute to improving the quality of football played in Ghana while also creating better conditions for identifying and developing talent.
“Infrastructure is the game changer. And if you have the right infrastructure, we are going to improve,” he added.
Poku said improved facilities would strengthen several aspects of the football ecosystem, including the quality of competition, player development and talent identification.
“It aids in the quality of football we play. It aids in the quality of talent development we do and its identification.”
The Aduana FC chief also stressed the need for Ghana to improve its football infrastructure to maintain its status as a major football nation.
“It’s important that as a supposed football nation, we get infrastructure and backing from government.”
Poku also welcomed the government’s willingness to continue infrastructure projects initiated by previous administrations, stressing the importance of completing projects rather than repeatedly starting new ones.
“We couldn’t complete it. And the president has assured that he’s going to complete that. We would also appeal to them that they should complete it.”
He believes the successful completion of the projects would provide a tangible measure of the government’s commitment to football development.
“At the time, we’ll go back in time and say that, look, the minister came to Congress for the first time and said that there was going to be this infrastructure and it is there.”
Poku believes expanding the number of infrastructure projects across the country would significantly strengthen the Ghana Premier League, giving clubs greater access to quality facilities and reducing the heavy reliance on the few certified stadiums currently available.
Meanwhile, Aduana FC will open their campaign with an away game against Heart of Lions at the Kpando Sports Stadium.
