Volta Region Youth Resource Centre in ruins: Snakes and rodents reign as facility falls into disrepair

The Volta Region Youth Resource Centre at Adaklu Tsrefe, once a prime venue for Ghana’s 66th Independence Day celebration, has fallen into a state of disrepair.

 Colonies of snakes, armies of frogs, packs of rats and battalions of wild rabbits have claimed the facility, which is now more of a wildlife sanctuary than a hub for youth activities.

Barely a year and  a half after hosting the nation’s significant event, the centre’s structures are crumbling, and the grounds have become overrun with weeds, transforming the site into an overgrown wasteland.

The only ‘sporting activities’ now are the battles between wild rabbits and the dogs belonging to the security personnel.

Outraged by the facility’s rapid decline, a group known as the Volta Sports Crusaders took to the streets of Ho, the regional capital, last Friday (August 16), demanding urgent government intervention to restore the centre to its intended use.

The protest culminated in a petition presented to Augustus Awity, the Chief Director of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC).

Forster Korsi Osei, a spokesperson for the Volta Sports Crusaders, expressed deep frustration over the unfinished project, which began on March 22, 2018, with an initial nine-month completion timeline.

Despite the rush to partially complete the facility for the independence celebrations, it now lies in disrepair, with the VIP stand’s ceilings torn apart and air-conditioners stolen from offices.

"The football field is overrun with serpents emerging from the unchecked growth of weeds," lamented Mr Osei.

He further highlighted the ongoing deterioration of the Ho Sports Stadium, currently used by Division One clubs Home Stars FC and Inter Allies, which has been reduced to a field overgrown with weeds, and as such unworthy of the regional capital’s status.

"We urge the government to complete the Youth Resource Centre and put it to proper use immediately," the group’s spokesperson insisted.

The centre now employs just three security men, who often remain confined to a single room, seeking refuge from the invading snakes.

Yao Semode, the Volta Regional Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA), revealed that discussions had already been held with contractors regarding plans to complete the facility. 

He added that a team from  NYA, including the Director of Finance and Projects, recently visited the Adaklu-Tsrefe centre to assess the situation.

The fate of the once-promising Youth Resource Centre now hangs in the balance, as the local community awaits decisive action to reclaim the facility from the forces of nature.