The Government of Ghana has suspended the construction of a 200-million-dollar 50,000 capacity stadium at Borteyman in the Greater Accra Region that was expected to be used for the 2023 African Games.
Mr. Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth and Sports told Parliament that the government would not be able to meet set timelines to complete the project as a result of challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He explained that instead, the Government would refurbish existing facilities across the country to host the event, with the University of Ghana’s uncompleted Stadium being at the centre of the games.
“The plan adopted was to construct an Olympic Stadium complex at Borteyman, unfortunately, this plan could not materialise due to the onset of COVID-19. The pandemic delayed the start of the procurement process for the construction of this required facility for the game.
“Due to time constraints, various options were reviewed, some of the facilities for the refurbishment reviewed include, the Accra Sports Stadium, the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Cape Coast Stadium, the Winneba College and the Legon Stadium”.
Refurbishment of University of Ghana stadium
Furthermore, the Minister explained that the Olympic stadium in Borteyman would be done in phases. He indicated that the government will prioritize the urgent construction of facilities which the University of Ghana stadium does not have.
“After careful study of timelines, the Ministry in consultation with the LOC have decided to adopt a hybrid approach to construct the project in phases by leveraging on existing facilities at the University of Ghana and build the other facilities that are not available but are requirements for the hosting of the Games”.
Meanwhile, the Minister further explained that the refurbishment of the University of Ghana Stadium would include the resurfacing of existing athletics tracks and the construction of new athletics warm-up running tracks.
There would be a-1000 seater competition swimming pool, that is, an eight lane competition swimming pool, and an eight lane warm-up swimming pool. Other facilities include a 500-seater temporary dome (handball, judo, karate, taekwondo, wrestling, basketball) and a-1,000-seater multi-purpose hall of badminton, boxing, volleyball weightlifting and Para sports.
Other facilities to be constructed include a 1,000-seater multi-purpose hall (basketball, table tennis, wrestling), five (5) tennis courts complexes, including a-one thousand seater centre court (covered spectator stand) with a 20 capacity VVIP viewing seats.
The Minister detailed that the other four courts would each have a two hundred (200) spectator seats. Meanwhile, Mr. Ussif assured the House (Parliament) that despite the challenges, the Government of Ghana was committed to staging a successful competition.
The 2023 African Games
In 2020, President Akufo-Addo announced that land had been acquired to construct a stadium in Borteyman to host the games. The 13th edition of the Africa Games, formerly known as the All African Games would involve 54 participating countries and 25 sporting disciplines. The continental showpiece is expected to take place in three cities- Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast.
Meanwhile, the 2019 edition was hosted by Morocco following the country’s readmission to the African Union in January 2017. A total of 340 events in 26 sporting disciplines were held in the last edition.
READ ALSO: Interior Minister sets committee to investigate Ejura violence
