The National Sports Authority appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee for Youth, Sports, and Culture on Wednesday, September 25.
They confirmed that the Baba Yara Sports Stadium is 70% ready to host Ghana’s match against Sudan. The match will be played in October and will be matchday 3 of the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers.
The Committee for Youth, Sports, and Culture is investigating Ghana’s recent sports decline. The NSA used the opportunity to address several concerns, including the revenue generated from renting the stadium for church events.
There has been a recent outcry against renting the stadium for public events. However, the NSA has defended it as a way to generate revenue.
Seth Panwum, the NSA’s Board Chairman, explained that the stadium’s pitch is undergoing major renovations. He said these renovations will likely be completed by the next match.
He acknowledged that the work is progressing quickly but emphasised that CAF (Confederation of African Football) officials will make the final assessment.
At the meeting, he disclosed that discussions are underway with the Minister of Finance to secure emergency funding. The funding will protect the pitch and ensure its readiness for future matches.
Panwum said, “CAF said we should do major work on the pitch, which we have admitted and are doing. Even as of now, if they come back, per the speed of the work that we have done, they can pass us to even use it for the next game.
“But per their rules, we need to give them the briefing so that subsequently we can write to them again to come and relook at the pitch, assess it, and give us the green light. I must say it’s very unfortunate that we have gotten here.”
He added, “It is no news when we go to other countries. Even Wembley is given out for concerts, but they ensure that they protect the Pitch with pitch cowage. I’ve discussed this with our Minister of Finance through our Sector Minister to see how urgently they can help. We are also mandated to generate revenue, and our gate proceeds are insufficient to mandate us to fulfill that requirement.”
Background
Ghana’s Baba Yara Stadium was the only approved venue to host international games such as the Black Stars 2025 AFCON qualifier against Sudan in October.
However, CAF banned the stadium after Ghana lost 1-0 to Angola at the venue due to the woeful conditions of its facilities. This leaves Ghana without an approved stadium, implying that Ghana has to play its “home” game against Sudan away from home.
Cote d’Ivoire was reportedly the most likely destination to host the game with Sudan, as scheduling issues are likely to rule out Togo.
