GhanaWeb Feature by Benjamin Sackey

President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to increase the number of mini-stadiums to be constructed across Ghana from six to ten has sparked concerns within the sporting fraternity.

Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, announced the plan at the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Congress at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

“His Excellency has reviewed his decision, and he is no longer going to build six mini-stadiums; he is going to build ten,” Adams said.

President Mahama increases mini-stadium projects from six to 10 – Kofi Adams

He explained that the facilities will be constructed in the Western North, Oti, Ahafo, Bono East, Savannah, North East, Upper East, Upper West, and Volta regions, with the remaining location expected to complete the ten-region plan.

Adams added that the mini-stadiums will come with additional facilities to ensure they serve as comprehensive sporting centres for their respective communities.

Although the project is part of the government’s broader efforts to improve sports infrastructure and create better opportunities for grassroots development, critics argue that other areas urgently need attention.

The project is expected to increase access to sporting infrastructure across the country and provide communities with improved venues for football and other sporting activities.

However, suggestions have emerged that the president should instead channel resources into rigorous renovation works on existing mini-stadia across the country that have been abandoned.

Mini-Stadia and Complexes with Issues

Ho Central Constituency: The Ho Sports Complex is in a state of neglect.

Okaikwei South Constituency: The Azumah Nelson Sports Complex in North Kaneshie, Accra, is in a deplorable state after years of neglect. Renovation works by the NSA have seen little progress.

Dormaa Constituency: The Dormaa Multipurpose Sports Complex, which cost seven million cedis to construct, has been abandoned for sometime.

Essikado-Ketan Constituency: The Essipong Stadium is in dire condition.

Navrongo Central Constituency: The Navrongo Sports Complex is overrun with weeds due to lack of maintenance.

Several other facilities across the country have also been left to deteriorate, with pitches, seats, and amenities in poor condition due to inadequate upkeep.

NSA’s Call for Stadia Maintenance Budget

NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has called for a dedicated budget for stadium maintenance following public backlash over the poor state of some facilities.

The Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara Stadium pitches came under scrutiny for their abysmal condition ahead of the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in September 2026.

The NSA stressed that while the government is keen on building new stadia, it is equally imperative to allocate funds for maintaining existing ones to ensure the overall improvement of sports in Ghana.

With the project yet to commence, President Mahama is being urged to prioritize maintenance by directing the sports minister and the NSA to make it a primary target in enhancing the sports ecosystem and improving facilities nationwide.

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