The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, has handed over a newly constructed AstroTurf facility to St. Stephen’s Presby Senior High Technical School (STEPSS) to boost sports development and encourage healthy living among students and residents.

The facility, fitted with a modern floodlighting system, will allow students and members of the surrounding community to engage in sporting and recreational activities at any time of the day.

Speaking to journalists after the handover, Dr. Agyemang said the project forms part of efforts to promote physical education and preventive healthcare through increased physical activity.

He noted that investing in sports infrastructure has become necessary due to the rising cases of non-communicable diseases in Ghana.

Referencing issues raised in the State of the Nation Address, the MP said many deaths in the country are linked to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, which are often associated with sedentary lifestyles.

“Physical education is key and physical activity is very important. The President emphasised that one out of every two deaths in Ghana is linked to non-communicable diseases. We must not wait until people fall sick before we act. Prevention is critical,” he said.

Dr. Agyemang explained that the AstroTurf facility is intended not only for students of STEPSS but also for residents of the Siakwa community and the wider Abuakwa South constituency.

“With the floodlights installed, people can come here at dawn, midnight or late at night to exercise. If anyone wants to see how a 24-hour economy works, they can see it here through sports and physical activity,” he added.

He also stressed the need to maintain the facility, saying its sustainability would depend on cooperation between those who funded the project and the community that will use it.

“When we hand over facilities like this, it becomes a shared responsibility between those who financed it and those who benefit from it. We do not simply hand it over and walk away. We remain involved to ensure it serves future generations,” he said.

Dr. Agyemang added that the decision to locate the AstroTurf within the school compound was deliberate to ensure proper supervision and prevent misuse.

“We could have placed it in the town centre, but we intentionally located it in the school so it can be properly managed. I am confident the school authorities will ensure it is used for the right purpose,” he stated.

The Headmaster of St. Stephen’s Presby Senior High School, Edward Asamoah Boateng, who received the facility on behalf of the school, thanked the MP for what he described as a major boost to sports development in the institution.

He said the AstroTurf will improve sporting activities and provide students with a modern facility to develop their talents.

According to him, the school has long needed a standard playing surface, and the project will strengthen both training and inter-school competitions.

Rev. Boateng also assured that the school authorities will ensure the proper management and maintenance of the facility so it continues to benefit both students and the surrounding community.

The commissioning of the AstroTurf is expected to significantly improve sports infrastructure at STEPSS while creating a safe space for students and residents to engage in regular physical activity.