Renaming of stadium is embarrassing - Aburihene

The controversy surrounding the reversal of the Ohene Djan Stadium to its former name the Accra Sports Stadium by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has been re-ignited. This time round, it is the chiefs and people of the Aburi Traditional Council who have expressed their displeasure at the AMA for the decision.

The Aburihene, Otubour Gyan Kwasi II who spoke to Asempa News on behalf of the Aburi Traditional Council said the action of the AMA was not only embarrassing but painful blow to the people of Aburi and Akwapim in general.

Nana Otubour Gyan Kwasi II told Asempa News the Aburi and Akwapims in particular never lobbied for the name of Ohene Gyan to be named after the Stadium, but it was the government of the day that deemed it fit to honour such an important personality who contributed his quota to the development of sports in Ghana.

The Aburihene recounted the exploits of the late sports administrator as a person who developed the football league of Ghana; was very instrumental in the establishment of the Black Stars; and also initiated the formation of the continental football body CAF.

The Aburi Traditional Council said the AMA renaming of the stadium on the basis that it has no leaning with Ga culture and Customs was unfortunate, reminding the assembly that the land being occupied by Gas was given to them by the Akwapims and the people of Aburi when they first came from Ile Ifeh in Nigeria.

Otubour Gyan Kwasi II condemned the AMA’s move as a bad precedent, and feared it may spark similar reprisals across the country where important monuments are not named after indigenous persons.

He mentioned the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital in Akwapim named after a Ga, and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi among others which may spark calls for re-naming.

The Aburihene, Otubour Gyan Kwasi II is urging the AMA to have a rethink of the name change from Ohene Djan stadium to the Accra Sports Stadium.