Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Henry Asante Twum has acknowledged the country’s persistent football infrastructure challenges, admitting that the lack of suitable stadia and training facilities continues to hamper preparations and the organisation of international matches.
His comments come amid renewed concerns over Ghana’s stadium infrastructure following the temporary clearance granted to the Essipong Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi to host selected categories of international matches until December.
The development has paved the way for Ghana to stage their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Somalia at the renovated facility, providing an alternative venue for the Black Stars after years of uncertainty surrounding the availability of approved stadiums.
“Yes, there are challenges, and there are challenges everywhere. Our football has a lot of challenges. One of them is infrastructure. Where to play our football, where to train even for our national teams is difficult.”
Henry Asante Twum, Communications Director at the GFA
Ghana’s Stadium Challenges Persist
The GFA Communications Director further disclosed that the challenge has persisted since 2022, forcing the senior national team to move between different venues in search of suitable facilities to host their home matches.
He explained that the Black Stars have had to alternate between the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, the Cape Coast Stadium and the Accra Sports Stadium, with considerable effort required from the country’s football leadership with GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku playing critical role to ensure that Ghana can continue playing international matches on home soil.
“Since 2022, there have always been issues. The national team has been roaming from the Baba Yara Stadium to Cape Coast, from Cape Coast to Baba Yara, to Accra, and sometimes it takes considerable effort from the leader to ensure that the games are played in Ghana.”.
Henry Asante Twum, Communications Director, GFA
The situation highlights the extent of Ghana’s infrastructure deficit, particularly as several facilities that previously hosted major international competitions have struggled to satisfy the current requirements for international football.
The Accra Sports Stadium, Baba Yara Stadium, Cape Coast Stadium and Aliu Mahama Stadium have all faced challenges with meeting the necessary standards, leaving Ghana with limited options when seeking approval to host international fixtures.
The Accra Sports Stadium previously received partial clearance, while Essipong has now followed suit with its temporary approval.
Essipong Returns To International Football
Essipong Stadium was among the four venues used by Ghana during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside the Accra Sports Stadium, Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi and Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale.
However, the facility had not hosted a senior international football match since November 2008, when the Black Stars defeated Lesotho 3-0 in a FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter.
The Essipong Stadium deteriorated due to a long period of inactivity at the venue before being refurbished this year.
Its recent renovation and temporary clearance have now restored its relevance to Ghana’s international football calendar.
The stadium hosted the Black Queens’ recent 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifying encounter against Mauritius in October, with Ghana recording a 7-0 victory in Sekondi-Takoradi to complete a commanding 10-0 aggregate triumph.
The Black Stars’ return to the facility for the Somalia encounter will therefore represent another significant step in efforts to make alternative venues available for the national teams.
Over the past two years, the senior national team have predominantly relied on the Accra Sports Stadium for their home fixtures, including their recent 4-2 defeat to The Gambia in the 2027 AFCON qualifier.
Asante Twum Backs Leadership To Address Challenges
Despite the difficulties, Asante-Twum believes football administrators must remain committed to finding solutions, pointing to Ghana’s recent achievements in World Cup qualification as evidence that progress remains possible even under challenging circumstances. “There are challenges but in the midst of those challenges, leadership must take the steps to solve those problems which it’s not easy to resolve,” the Communications Director stated.
He noted that the country had successfully qualified for the last two FIFA World Cups but acknowledged the disappointment of missing out on the most recent AFCON and failing to win either of their opening two matches in the 2027 qualifying campaign.
“In our case, despite the challenges, at least in the last two World Cups, we’ve been able to qualify. Unfortunately, in the last AFCON, we couldn’t make it. Unfortunately, this time around, we have failed to win any of our opening two games of the AFCON qualifiers, but we are trying so hard to come back to where we belong. It’s not easy.”
Henry Asante Twum, GFA Communications Director
Ghana’s immediate attention is now on the double-header against Somalia as they seek to revive their qualification hopes after a disappointing start to Group C.
With Somalia set to use Ghana as their home venue because they don’t have any approved facility, both fixtures will be played on Ghanaian soil, presenting the Black Stars with an opportunity to secure maximum points from the two encounters.
The arrangement could prove crucial in Ghana’s attempt to recover from a six-point deficit behind group leaders Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, who are also scheduled to face each other in the qualifying campaign.
However, while the temporary availability of Essipong provides some relief, Ghana’s broader infrastructure problems remain unresolved.
The country’s continued lack of consistent available network of modern, internationally approved football stadiums and training facilities capable of supporting the demands of its national teams demands critical attention.
For a country with Ghana’s football history and ambitions, the recurring struggle to secure suitable venues underlines the urgent need for sustained investment in football infrastructure.
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