The National Sports Authority (NSA) has firmly refuted allegations it noted are circulating on social media and various media platforms that its staff were forcefully removed from the Tarkwa Stadium by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Tarkwa Municipal Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Kessie.

According to the statement, the reports further suggest that the stadium had been mismanaged under the NSA’s stewardship, describing it as deliberate misinformation.

In a press statement issued on September 18, 2024, the NSA categorically denied these claims, describing them as falsehoods intended to exploit ongoing challenges faced by the authority in other regions.

The statement asserted that the false report aimed to create an unwarranted perception that the recently transferred Tarkwa Stadium had been poorly maintained since the NSA assumed control just a month ago.

“For the records, the National Sports Authority with assistance from the Goldfields Foundation and insistence on user fees from football clubs has so far provided exceptional maintenance service at the Stadium.

“This can be verified at the stadium. Right from the GHALCA Top 4 Tournament through to the Champions of Champions and the Medeama First League match, everybody present, including dignitaries were very much appreciative of the work done by National Sports Authority”.
National Sports Authority, Public Relation Unit

The statement further emphasized that those who attended these events, including prominent dignitaries, were highly impressed with the work done by the NSA.

The claim that “community members led by Hon. Kessie expressed concerns over the poor state of the stadium citing neglect and mismanagement under the National Sports Authority’s oversight” was dismissed as false and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the authority’s reputation.

Allegations of Stadium Misuse

The National Sports Authority also responded to allegations that members of the Tarkwa community wanted to take control of the stadium due to its alleged mismanagement.

The authority clarified that this claim was a distortion of the situation, explaining that certain influential individuals within the community were attempting to monopolize the use of the stadium for specific football clubs, at the expense of other sports and the general public.

The NSA reiterated that the Tarkwa Stadium is a national asset intended for the benefit of all, not just select clubs.

As the legally empowered body responsible for managing national sports facilities, the NSA stressed its commitment to ensuring fair access to the stadium for all sports disciplines and all users.

Call for Support and Cooperation

In light of the controversy, the NSA called on all stakeholders to adhere to the law and cooperate to ensure the proper maintenance and utilisation of the Tarkwa Stadium.

The authority urged stakeholders to focus on fostering the development of sports in the region and the country, rather than pursuing personal or political agendas.

The statement concluded with a warning that any threats to the safety of NSA staff at the Tarkwa Stadium would leave the authority with no choice but to withdraw personnel from the facility and close it down until a secure working environment could be restored.

The NSA’s firm stance seeks to protect its mandate and maintain the integrity of national sports facilities, while also safeguarding the interests of the broader sporting community in Tarkwa.

In an earlier notice issued by Hon. Benjamin Kessie, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Tarkwa-Nsuaem, the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly (TNMA) announced its assumption of ownership and management responsibilities for the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Park, popularly known as TNA Park.

According to the notice, the TNA Park is historically a community-owned facility, and as such, the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly, being the highest political and administrative authority in the municipality, has reaffirmed its “legitimate right” to manage the park on behalf of the local community.

The MCE emphasised that the Assembly’s role in overseeing the park’s operations is grounded in its responsibility to ensure the sustainable and proper management of communal assets.

“The TNA Park is originally, and continues to remain, a Community Park,” the notice read, adding that “Therefore, TNMA reserves the legitimate right to oversee its proper and sustainable management on behalf and in trust for the people/community.”

This statement underscored the Assembly’s view that TNA Park is not simply a sports facility but a vital communal asset, one that should be governed with the community’s broader interests in mind.