The member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, per a document he has intercepted, is saying government has committed over GHC85 million into the rehabilitation of stadiums in Ghana.
The amount, according to the Chairman for the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament was shared between three companies who were contracted to renovate the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Essipong in Sekondi-Takoradi and Accra Sports Stadium in the national capital.
Two of the companies, according to the lawmaker, in line with their certificate of incorporation, belong to relatives of President Akufo-Addo.
This comes just about a week after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has banned Ghana from hosting any FIFA sanctioned football match in the country.
The ban, according to the Confederation, is due to the poor nature of Ghana’s pitches which do not meet international standards to host such matches.
The situation came to light after Ghana’s humiliating defeat to Angola in an African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi Thursday, September 05, 2024, where both spectators and playing body complained about the poor nature of the pitch.
Speaking on the KeyPoints on TV3 Saturday, September 14, 2024, Mr. Ablakwa bemoaned the poor nature of Ghana’s stadiums which he described as an international embarrassment, saying Ghana deserves better even if the President’s relatives are awarded contracts with tax payers’ money.
“14 July, 2023, this is a letter signed by Honorable Dr. John A. Kumah. God bless his soul. May his soul continue to rest in peace. He issued a warrant for the release of GHC41.9 million for the rehabilitation of the Essipong Sports Stadium. Essipong GHC41.9 million, only last year. Talk to your sports journalists. I have been there. 41.9 million, no show. At least Essipong should have saved us today. I mean, such a monumental international disgrace.
“Baba Yara Sports Stadium, where we had the total embarrassment, are you aware that another contract of GHC21.1 million, and this is a letter signed by the Chief Director, awarded to a company called Javkier, GHC21.1 million, 27th of March, 2020. And I’ve tracked their payments. I have all their payment vouchers here. They’ve all been paid promptly.
“Then you come to Accra Sports Stadium. I have here a company called Coupbay, another intercepted document. They have paid them GHC22.4 million. Over 85 million [in all].
“And you know what? I went for the incorporation documents of these companies. And guess what? Two of the companies are owned by the president’s relatives. So, if your family will make money out of our stadiums, at least do the work. At least don’t bring this monumental international disgrace upon us,” said Ablakwa.