NSA to opt for PPP to manage national stadia

The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Mr Joe Kpenge, says a Private Public Partnership (PPP) is the most viable way to manage and develop the sports facilities that have been placed under the NSA’s care.

In an address at an event held last Tuesday to explain the NSA’s decision to privatise the national stadia, the experienced sports administrator explained that three facilities, namely the Accra Sports Stadium,  the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium and the Baba Yara Stadium, would be the first to be offered to private investors in a process that would end on December 22.

He said: “The process to kick-start the PPP began after we put out expression of interest advertisements in the dailies a few of weeks ago. The process will be guided by the existing procurement laws and we will stop receiving applications on December 22.

“The government has a PPP policy which aims to develop and manage infrastructure with the help of the private sector but instead of applause for our initiative the reception from the Ghanaian populace was mixed. 

“The first facilities that will be covered by the PPP include the Accra Stadium, the Theodosia Okoh Hockey pitch and once we have learnt our lessons coverage will be expanded to other facilities”.

According to Mr Kpenge, the organisation that would be successful in their bid would be given the rights to manage the football fields, astro turfs, multi-purpose courts, gyms, office space, car parks, hostels and stores that are located in the three facilities.

“The objectives of the privatisation of these facilities are to inject private resources into the management of the stadia which will keep the facilities in the best condition and generate more revenue”.

Mr Kpenge stressed that private organisations who would apply to manage the facilities would be assessed based on their experience in managing stadia, as well as their financial stature.