National Sports Authority (NSA) Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has expressed deep concern over the state of Ghana’s sporting infrastructure, questioning how a nation that has qualified for five FIFA World Cups still lacks a modern stadium that meets international standards.
The former broadcaster described the situation as unacceptable, insisting that Ghana’s football achievements over the years should have been matched by significant investment in world-class sporting facilities.
Speaking about the country’s readiness to host future international tournaments, Ampofo Ankrah stressed that the deteriorating condition of major venues, including the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and the Ohene Gyan Stadium, highlights years of inadequate investment and maintenance.
“We have been to the World Cup five times, yet we don’t have a standard stadium. That should worry all of us,” he said.
His comments come amid growing public debate over the state of Ghana’s football infrastructure after images showing maintenance work on the Baba Yara Sports Stadium pitch circulated widely on social media.
Ampofo Ankrah acknowledged that while the grounds maintenance methods attracted criticism, the bigger issue lies in the country’s long-term failure to invest in modern equipment and upgrade sporting facilities.
He questioned how funds generated from Ghana’s successive FIFA World Cup appearances since 2006 have been utilised, arguing that more should have been channelled into developing quality stadiums capable of hosting elite international competitions.
According to him, Ghana cannot continue to rely on outdated facilities if it hopes to remain a leading football nation on the continent.
The NSA Director General also warned that Ghana’s ability to host the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations is under serious threat unless urgent renovation works begin across the country’s major stadiums.
He revealed that the Authority is awaiting a comprehensive technical assessment from an international consultancy that recently inspected several facilities. The report is expected to determine whether key stadiums require extensive renovations or temporary closure to restore them to acceptable standards.
Ampofo Ankrah further noted that securing adequate funding remains the biggest obstacle, calling for stronger collaboration between government, corporate institutions and international partners to improve Ghana’s sports infrastructure.
Despite the challenges, he expressed optimism that the current discussions surrounding the state of the country’s stadiums could serve as a catalyst for meaningful reforms, ensuring Ghana finally develops facilities befitting its rich football heritage and international reputation.
