“Unfortunate We Got to This Point” – NSA Board Chair on Ghana’s Stadium Crisis
National Sports Authority (NSA) Board Chairman, Seth Panwum, has described Ghana’s ongoing “stadium situation” as unfortunate, following the closure of multiple stadiums due to poor conditions.
Panwum expressed these concerns while answering questions during a Parliamentary Select Committee hearing on Sports, Culture, and Tourism on the second day of the session.
The closures have raised concerns over the state of Ghana’s sporting facilities, with the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi being a focal point of criticism.
The facility, a key venue for major sporting events, was recently the subject of controversy after its pitch was damaged during a Christian service held shortly before Ghana’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Angola.
The event, which was rented out to a church group, left the pitch in poor condition, drawing complaints from both Ghanaian and Angolan head coaches. The damage ultimately resulted in a temporary ban by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
In his address, Panwum acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, “I must say that it’s unfortunate we got to this point.” He also revealed that the NSA official responsible for renting out the stadium for the non-sporting event is currently facing internal disciplinary action.
The first day of the hearing had seen Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif face the panel, where he addressed other issues, including the controversial $3 million expenditure for Ghana’s contingent at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, despite the team’s failure to progress beyond the group stage.
Panwum assured the committee that efforts are underway to rehabilitate the Baba Yara pitch and bring it back to CAF standards. “CAF said we should do major work on the pitch, which we have admitted, and we are doing so now. If they come back and assess the work, we are hopeful they will allow us to use it for the next game,” he said.
While Panwum remains optimistic about resolving the current crisis, the situation highlights the broader issue of maintenance and management of Ghana’s sporting infrastructure. The Baba Yara Stadium, a symbol of the nation’s footballing pride, has become a case study in the consequences of poor facility management, leaving stakeholders scrambling to restore the venue to its former state.
As the NSA and government work to address these challenges, the fate of Ghana’s sporting venues remains a pressing issue ahead of key international fixture against Sudan in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.