Audio By Carbonatix
The Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has promised to give “200%” to ensure the maintenance of various national facilities across the country.
Parliament approved 65 million cedis for the Sports Ministry, but with meager resources available for the upkeep of infrastructure.
Former Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul raised the alarm that “not even 10 million cedis [was given] to at least take care of the pitches” and that “capital injection” is needed to avoid facility deterioration.
In an exclusive interview with JoySports, the NSA Director-General admitted that the resources available are “not much,” but the body remains determined to execute its job.
"Much has not been given but more is expected so we are not under any illusion as to the task ahead and I think that is where the challenge is positive," Ampofo Ankrah said.
"We need to think outside the box, we need to be innovative in the way we try to bring in funding, resources, expertise, technicalities and we did it with the first game [Ghana vs Chad].
"I think we are going to make a mark. I am very excited to be here at this time and what I can assure is that we will give 200%. We can't give a 100% because that might not be enough. We need to double our efforts and that is exactly what we intend to do."
Renting out national stadiums has become the NSA's primary source of income in recent years, but the practice has proven counterproductive, as the facilities are often left in a deplorable state.
In July 2024, the Baba Yara Stadium was rented out for a five-day 'Kumuyi' Church program, which left the pitch in poor condition ahead of Ghana's clash against Angola in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
It led to CAF revoking the stadium’s license to host international matches.
Latest Stories
-
Digital age brings Denmark’s postal service to a historic end
4 minutes -
Idris Elba knighted as Sarina Wiegman and Lionesses lead New Year Honours
22 minutes -
The envisioned National Media Commission: Promise and pitfalls – a practitioner’s perspective
28 minutes -
Youth of Nalerigu condemn criminal acts, reaffirm town’s peaceful image
35 minutes -
Tema Port labour dispute risks cargo diversion to Lomé, smuggling – FABAG
41 minutes -
Food prices at risk as Tema Port delays choke rice, sugar imports – FABAG
44 minutes -
Attorney General focused more on convictions than fund recovery – Rosemond Obeng
53 minutes -
ORAL on course despite public impatience for arrests – Rosemond Obeng
1 hour -
NAIMOS intensifies anti-galamsey crackdown in Western and Western North Regions
2 hours -
ORAL: Government has turned prosecutions into performances – Kwesi Botchway Jnr
2 hours -
But for GoldBod, Ghana would’ve been on its knees – Rosemond Obeng
2 hours -
UC PhD Candidate Genevieve Egbunno awarded McClatchy Dissertation Research and Writing Fellowship for 2025
3 hours -
Galamsey: 5 arrested in NAIMOS crackdown on Birim River
3 hours -
GoldBod’s $214m is a transactional cost, not a loss – Parliament’s Economic and Dev’t Committee chair
3 hours -
‘Which of your ‘old’ ideas reduced dollar rate or fuel prices?’ – Kobby Mensah to Oppong Nkrumah
3 hours
