The National Sports Authority (NSA) has denied allegations of neglect and mismanagement at the Tarkwa and Abosso (TnA) Stadium in Tarkwa, in the Western Region, following comments made by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Tarkwa, Benjamin Kesse.
In a press statement issued on September 18, 2024, the NSA refuted claims that it had been “chased out” of the facility and that a local committee had taken over its management due to poor upkeep.
The NSA described the circulating information as “false” and clarified that the stadium, which was handed over to the NSA just a month ago by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, remains under its management.
The NSA stated that it has provided “exceptional maintenance service” at the facility, citing positive feedback from recent events, including the GHALCA Top 4 Tournament and the Medeama First League match.
“The claim that ‘community members led by Hon. Kesse expressed concerns over the poor state of the stadium citing neglect and mismanagement under the National Sports Authority’s oversight’ is therefore misinformation meant to cause public disaffection for the NSA,” the statement read.
The NSA accused certain powerful stakeholders of attempting to “personalize” the use of the public facility for their own interests, stressing that the stadium is a national asset intended to be accessible to all sports and the entire community.
The NSA urged stakeholders to abide by the law and work collaboratively to maintain the facility, adding that any threats to the safety of its staff could result in the closure of the stadium.
Construction work on the TnA Stadium began four years ago and was completed in June this year at a cost of US$16.2 million, according to the Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, Razak Abubakar.
This investment by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation transformed the 400-seat football park into an 8,000-plus seater stadium capable of hosting international matches.
Officials from the Gold Fields Foundation, at the handover ceremony on August 16, 2024, stated that the National Sports Authority would manage the facility with support from the Tarkwa Municipal Assembly.
“The facility was in existence before we started the renovation, and the National Sports Authority were the managers, so it’s only fair they continue with it and the Assembly supports them.
“We can assure that this facility will not be handled like other sporting facilities in the country,” Razak assured.
However, the Tarkwa Municipal Assembly has since expressed dissatisfaction with the stadium’s maintenance under NSA management.
The NSA reiterated its commitment to ensuring proper maintenance and equitable access to the facility for all users.
It also advised the public to disregard misinformation regarding the situation at the stadium.
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