Newly acquired professional pitch covers will be available for use during this year’s packed festive-season concerts at the Accra Sports Stadium, the National Sports Authority (NSA) has announced.
The Director-General of the NSA, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, said the covers, which are expected to arrive in the country from December 6, would mark a major turning point in protecting Ghana’s leading sporting venues during heavy-duty events.
Addressing journalists in Accra on November 27, Mr Ankrah said procurement processes for the covers were “well advanced,” adding that they would be deployed immediately upon arrival and used not only in Accra but across all national stadia.
He emphasised that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to break the “cycle of damage and repair” that has repeatedly sparked public concern after concerts and religious gatherings.
“These covers come in various grades. Some are strong enough to withstand trucks and thousands of people,” he explained. “We are expecting a good grade, and once they arrive, we will be able to deploy them immediately. This will help us protect the pitch, which for many years has been the crown jewel of our sports infrastructure.”
Their introduction coincides with one of the stadium’s busiest periods in December, with major events including Medikal’s Beyond Control Concert on December 13, the GTCO Concert on December 19, the Bhim Nation Concert on December 24, and several watch-night services on December 30 and 31. These will be held alongside Ghana Premier League fixtures and other sporting activities.
Mr Ankrah said the NSA had deepened its engagement with event organisers to ensure better coordination on security, logistics and turf protection. He added that the Authority was also working with corporate partners to acquire additional maintenance equipment, including cleaning tools and crowd-management materials.
“December should be a month to remember for the right reasons,” he said. “We are learning from the past, taking precautions, and ensuring that our facilities are not harmed beyond repair.”
Representatives of partnering institutions echoed the NSA’s determination to safeguard the pitch.
The Head of Corporate Communication and Experience at GTBank, Agnes Owusu-Afram, said the bank was fully aware of the stadium’s primary purpose and remained committed to supporting its upkeep. “Indeed, we are very tied to what it takes to have this event here, because the primary purpose for this venue definitely is not a concert. It is for soccer, sports for that matter. And the least you can do is to make sure it is still the same,” she said. She noted that GTBank had seen “a lot of progression in terms of what it means to leave the facility in the best of shape,” and pledged continued collaboration with the NSA.
Frank Boahen of Green Grass Technology, the firm responsible for maintaining the pitch, expressed enthusiasm about the imminent arrival of the covers, describing them as a major boost to turf management.
“First of all, photosynthesis is to allow sunlight through the covers so that we can keep the green and also keep the grass growing while it is covered,” he said. He added that the covers also allow air circulation, reducing the risk of the turf browning during short-term use. “I’m absolutely delighted, excited that at last we are getting pitch covers in Ghana to help us maintain the pitch… really happy.”
The NSA is expected to issue further updates once the equipment arrives, with officials confident that the new measures will ensure the stadium remains in excellent condition throughout and beyond the festive season.
