The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Select Committee on Youth and Sports, Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has issued a stern call to government for the urgent rehabilitation of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
He warned that the continued neglect of the historic venue undermines both national pride and Ghana’s sporting reputation.
Hon. Assafuah, who also serves as Member of Parliament (MP) for Old Tafo, said the current state of the stadium is a national embarrassment and poses a serious threat to Asante Kotoko SC’s upcoming campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup.
In a statement, the MP expressed frustration that the stadium remains in a deteriorated state nearly a year after it was banned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“Today, I say with a heavy heart but unwavering resolve to address the dire state of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
“Kotoko, a symbol of Ghanaian football excellence and our proud representative on this continental stage, deserves a venue that reflects our nation’s ambition”
Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, MP for Old Tafo
According to Assafuah, the CAF ban in September 2024 – during the tenure of the previous NPP administration – should have prompted swift action.
While he acknowledged that preliminary assessments and planning had begun under the NPP, he criticized the current NDC government for failing to follow through with actual repairs.
The National Sports Authority (NSA), through its Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, confirmed that the Baba Yara Stadium still does not meet CAF standards. The statement from the NSA added weight to the concerns raised by Assafuah, who described the situation as a “missed opportunity” under the Mahama-led administration.
“The NDC must prioritize the need for repairs, funds that remain unallocated despite their promises,” Assafuah insisted.
Economic Blow
Beyond football, the MP also highlighted the broader economic consequences of the stadium’s continued closure. Kotoko’s inability to host games in Kumasi has led to significant financial losses for local businesses that depend on match-day activities.
“Kotoko, forced to play away, loses its home advantage, and Ghana’s global image takes a hit. A nation unable to host its champions risks ridicule across Africa”
Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, MP for Old Tafo
He further noted that Kumasi’s match-day economy – including vendors, transport operators, hotels, and event-related businesses – continues to suffer in the absence of home fixtures.
Hon. Assafuah stressed that the deterioration of the Baba Yara Stadium also affects the psyche of the youth who look up to Kotoko and the venue as symbols of national identity and sporting ambition.
“Our youth, inspired by Kotoko’s legacy, deserve better than this neglect,” he said.
Minority Issues Demand
Representing the NPP Minority in Parliament, Assafuah laid out three specific demands to the government.
He called for the immediate release of emergency funds for rehabilitation, strengthening of the National Sports Authority’s leadership and full restoration of Baba Yara Stadium to CAF-compliant standards.
“We acknowledge our past efforts and now urge the NDC to build on them. Ghana’s pride and Kotoko’s success depend on it. Let’s unite to reclaim our stadium and our standing”
Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, MP for Old Tafo
Baba Yara Stadium, once the pride of Ghanaian football and the unofficial fortress of Asante Kotoko, has in recent years become a symbol of infrastructure neglect.
Constructed in 1957 and upgraded over several decades, the stadium has hosted numerous local and international fixtures – earning its place as one of Ghana’s most iconic sporting venues.
The CAF ban marked a dramatic fall from grace for the stadium and drew renewed attention to the broader issue of failing sports infrastructure across the country.
As Ghana’s representatives prepare to compete on the continental stage, the clock is ticking for the Mahama administration to respond with urgency – not only for Kotoko, but for the pride of a football-loving nation.
