The Bukom Astro-turf has officially reopened after a major refurbishment by the Coastal Development Authority (CODA), following the reconstruction work carried out by Oxygen Capital Group.

Initially renovated in 2020 as part of the government’s “one constituency, one Astroturf” initiative, the pitch deteriorated due to heavy use by the local community.

Responding to requests from local leaders in 2022, CODA launched a plan to refurbish the facility, which included laying a new Astro-turf, installing fencing, and enhancing the infrastructure for better convenience.

Speaking after the commissioning, CEO of CODA, Jerry Ahmed Shaibu, urged the community members to prioritize good maintenance culture in order for the facility to last longer.

“This is a park, which, this is the second time we are doing it in four years and somewhere 20 21, 20 22.

"This park was virtually done, but the people were left to manage it on their own. They played football virtually 24 7 and you know, the park became very deteriorated, ” he told JoySports

He added that: “My advice to them is that they should allow for proper maintenance and management because if they allow oxygen capital to run it the way it has to be run, it is for them. It is for the young people who are coming up as footballers; it’s for those who want to have wedding programs and other social activities here, it’s for them.”

Member of the community, Emmanuel Mensah, while appreciating the Authority for the project, also promised to protect the facility from deterioration.

“We are, we are grateful for the work that they've done for us here, and we must say that we will cooperate with them and work with them. Initially, they did it for us and we were not able to manage it, and as of now, they've been able to bring it back for us. So, we must say they've done a good job, and we support them."

Although the facility is not a FIFA-standard pitch, it is expected to help harness football talents in the area, which has produced stars such as Stephen Appiah, Laryea Kingston among others.