Minister cuts sod for GH₵27million Nkawkaw Sports Stadium

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Kwame Asiamah has cut the sod for the reconstruction of the Nkawkaw Sports Stadium located in the Eastern Region.

At the sod-cutting ceremony for the edifice which is to be constructed at Ata Ne Ata, a community located in the picturesque shadows of the Odweanoma mountain at Nkawkaw, Mr Asiamah said it will be reconstructed into a stadium complex after over 25 years of neglect.

He said the complex will be constructed in two phases over a two-year period and it will have facilities including a 10,000 seater FIFA-standard football stadium, a multi-purpose court for 16 sports disciplines, an IAAF standard track, a gymnasium, a restaurant and a hostel.

Mr Asiamah disclosed that upon completion, the facility which is being funded by the Middle Belt Development Authority would be used to host international sports competitions including football matches of the Black Stars.

He also urged all residents of Nkawkaw to guard the project jealously by preventing nation-wreckers from stealing building equipment and encroaching on the site.

He said the project forms part of the government's Sports Infrastructure Development (SID) programme and similar and renovation efforts would be undertaken at other community stadiums including, the Wa Malik Jabir Park, Gyandu Park, Bekwai Park, Konongo Town Park, Waterloo Park, T &A Park, Techiman Park and the Sunyani Coronation
Park.

Cost of reconstruction

In his address, the CEO of the Middle Belt Development Authority, Mr Joe Danquah said the facility would be constructed by Farhadel Company Limited at a total cost of GH₵27million.

Urging the residents of the area to vote massively for President Akufo-Addo if they want the project to be completed, he said the first phase which includes the reconstruction of the football stadium would cost GH₵14million while the second phase would cost GH₵13million.

Mr Danquah said in an effort to meet the sports infrastructure requirements of particularly the youth in the Eastern Region, the Authority had already renovated five other natural grass pitches and constructed ten AstroTurf pitches at a total cost of GGH₵23.4million.

He also urged the residents to re-elect President Akufo-Addo in the December elections since that was the only way to guarantee that the two phases of the project would be completed.

Warning to encroachers

In an address, read on behalf of the Paramount Chief of the Kwahu Traditional Area, His Royal Highness Daasebre Akuamoah Agyepong II, the Kwahu Atibiehene and Gyaasehene of the Kwahu Traditional Area said the 40-acre site of the project was set aside by the Kwahu Traditional Council as the home grounds of Okwawu United and to promote sports development in the region.

He also directed all persons who have encroached on the site to pull down their structures and crops to ensure the swift completion of the complex.

The Gyaasehene also urged the current managers of Okwawu United to put in place structures which would guarantee the swift return of the traditional powerhouse from Division Two to the Ghana Premier League.

According to him, the facility might not achieve the desired socio-economic impact if Kwahuman did not have a team in Ghana's topflight.