Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has directed the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Chief Executive, Ebenezer Cobbinah, to immediately constitute a management committee to oversee operations at the T&A Park, amid ongoing controversy over the facility’s control.

The proposed committee will include representatives from the National Sports Authority (NSA) to ensure effective oversight of the 10,000-seater Tarkwa-Nsuaem Sports Stadium, which was commissioned on August 16, 2024. The stadium was upgraded by Gold Fields Ghana from a modest 400-seat facility into a modern sports arena.

The directive follows a longstanding dispute between the NSA and the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly over management rights to the stadium. Though the facility was officially handed over to the NSA during its commissioning, the previous Municipal Chief Executive, Benjamin Kesse, resisted the move and unilaterally established a management committee that excluded NSA representatives.

“Prior to the handover ceremony, former MCE Benjamin Kesse vowed not to allow the National Sports Authority to take over operations,” said Joseph Alabi Bortey, an official from the NSA. “I returned from Accra to find that Mr. Kesse had stormed the stadium with a group of men. For safety reasons, I had to instruct my team to vacate the premises.”

Alabi Bortey further alleged that the stadium’s management has since been effectively handed over to Medeama Sporting Club, a move he described as both irregular and illegal.

“Handing over the keys to Mr. Moses Parker is equivalent to handing a state asset to a private club—Medeama FC, which is a limited liability company,” he said. “If he sells Medeama FC in the future, what becomes of the stadium? The Assembly is no longer in charge; the current committee excludes the NSA, which is deeply concerning.”

To resolve the issue, Minister Joseph Nelson proposed a collaborative management structure. “I suggest forming a system that includes both the NSA and the Assembly to oversee the stadium. This joint oversight will ensure the effective management of the facility and all matches played there,” he stated.

However, current MCE Ebenezer Cobbinah has asked for more time to consult stakeholders before implementing the directive.

“While I acknowledge your decision, I’d like to request some time to familiarise myself with the surrounding issues,” Cobbinah responded. “Would it be possible to revisit this matter at a later date so I can return better prepared?”

The situation remains under review, but the Regional Minister insists on an inclusive and transparent structure to safeguard the state’s interest in the facility.