Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, has called on the government to create a dedicated fund for maintaining sports facilities across Ghana.
Many of the country’s stadiums and sports venues have fallen into disrepair due to neglect. Speaking in Parliament during the approval of a GHS 65 million budget for the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Annoh-Dompreh, who also serves as the Minority Chief Whip, highlighted the need for a structured approach to facility maintenance.
“There should be a line budget specifically for maintaining these sports facilities. We have invested heavily in infrastructure, and it should not be the case that we only address maintenance issues when a major tournament is approaching,” he stated.
He further underscored the importance of regular upkeep to preserve these national assets. “This must be done as a routine practice. We, as parliamentarians, will approve the budget on the condition that there is follow-up from the relevant authorities to secure the necessary allocations,” he added.
Poor maintenance has already led to serious consequences, with venues such as the Baba Yara Stadium and the Cape Coast Sports Stadium receiving bans from hosting CAF and FIFA-sanctioned matches.