The Minister of Youth and Sports, Honourable Kofi Iddie Adams has confirmed that the Government is preparing to construct more stadia across the country, revising its initial plan.
The Member of Parliament for Buem constituency gave the update during an interview ahead of the 2027 Budget Reading, indicating that the procurement process has reached its final stage, with contractors expected to move to site in December.
He also outlined the procurement timetable, indicating that bids from companies that have completed the required processes would be opened by November 20, with contract awards expected before the end of the month.
“We are not doing three. We are actually doing ten. Do you know that there are 10 regions that do not have athletic tracks? They don’t have anything to call a stadium.”
Honourable Kofi Iddie Adams
The Sports Minister characterised the decision as “an effort to distribute sports infrastructure more equitably and create opportunities” for young people outside the country’s established sporting centres. He questioned the wisdom of concentrating investment in one major facility when talented athletes in other parts of Ghana lacked the basic infrastructure required to develop their abilities.
“Meanwhile, you expect them to also develop their talents,” Honourable Adams remarked, challenging calls for the Government to prioritise one major stadium at the expense of regional facilities. In his estimation, a national sports development strategy must provide opportunities for talent identification and training across the country.
The initial manifesto commitment covered six stadia, while the Government had earlier planned to commence three projects in 2026 before undertaking the remaining facilities. However, after assessing the time required to procure consultants, complete designs and secure the necessary approvals, the Ministry opted to process all ten projects together.
Honourable Adams identified the proposed sites as Sujoso in Western North, Nyamebekyere between Mim and Goaso in Ahafo, Oforikrom near Techiman in Bono East, Damongo in Savannah and Nalerigu in the North East Region. The remaining locations include Bukere in the Upper East Region, Wa in Upper West, Guama in the Buem constituency, Ho in the Volta Region and Abesim in the Bono Region.
The facilities will have varying seating capacities, ranging from 5,000 to 10,000, depending on the proposed location. The Minister explained that the designs, bills of quantities, site identification and consultant procurement had been completed, while the relevant Public Procurement Authority processes had also advanced.
He expressed confidence that contractors would mobilise to the sites before December ended, following the opening and evaluation of bids and the subsequent award of contracts. “Before December ends, contractors will be on site,” he affirmed, placing the next major milestone within the remaining weeks of the year.
The Minister also defended the Government’s capacity to deliver the projects, insisting that the administration would not initiate undertakings it could not complete. He invited the public to hold the Government accountable for the commitment, as the procurement process moves towards the construction phase.
Government Plans Upgrades To Four FIFA Standard Stadia
Beyond the planned construction of ten regional stadia, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Honourable Kofi Iddie Adams has outlined an ambition to upgrade four existing facilities to meet FIFA standards before President John Dramani Mahama leaves office.
The Buem MP identified the Essipong Stadium, Baba Yara Stadium, Aliu Mahama Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium as the facilities earmarked for renovation, acknowledging the deficiencies in Ghana’s current sports infrastructure.
The commitment follows criticism over the condition of the country’s stadia and the absence of a FIFA-accredited facility, an issue the President of the Ghana Football Association has reportedly highlighted. Honourable Adams attributed the situation to “inadequate investment in sports infrastructure” over the preceding eight years, while identifying the renovation programme as part of the Government’s response.
“We want at least before he leaves office, we should have a minimum of four FIFA standard stadia facilities in Ghana.”
Honourable Kofi Iddie Adams
The Sports Minister identified Essipong as the first facility expected to attain the required standard upon completion of the ongoing works. “Immediately we finish, Essipong will become FIFA standard,” he remarked, before outlining the other facilities scheduled for attention.
The commitment, therefore, places the four stadium upgrades within the administration’s stated infrastructure ambitions, although the interview did not establish a detailed implementation timetable.
In addition to the renovation programme, Honourable Adams indicated that the Ministry is working towards reconstituting the Board of the National Sports Authority. He elucidated that the appointment process requires the proposed list of members to pass through the Council of State, which would review it and communicate its recommendations to the President before appointment letters could be issued.
The Minister also announced plans to present a new national sports policy to Parliament next year, noting that Ghana has not introduced a replacement since the development of its sports policy in 1994. He identified grassroots and school sports development as key areas requiring renewed attention, particularly because they had been neglected for an extended period.
The proposed policy, he explained, would provide direction on priority areas and guide the country’s approach to sports development. Its emphasis on grassroots participation and school competitions is expected to address some of the structural gaps that limit talent identification and progression.
Meanwhile, the Minister acknowledged the need for further discussion on sports financing, particularly proposals to reconsider restrictions on alcoholic beverage sponsorship of sporting activities. He observed that some countries permit such sponsorships and advertisements, suggesting that Ghana should examine the issue and determine an appropriate way forward. “We must have a conversation around it and see what is the best way forward,” he called to attention to the challenges of the Ministry.
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