Ga Dangme youth angry over attempts to rename Accra Sports Stadium

A non-political pressure group, Ga Dangme Concerned Youth Group (GDCYG), has condemned alleged attempts by the Director General of the National Sports Authority to rename the Accra Sports Stadium.

The group, in a statement issued by GDCYG President, Nii Ayaafio Tetteh I, on Monday, 27 November 2017 accused Mr Robert Sarfo Mensah, of attempting to use his position to rename the Accra Sports Stadium which was renamed Ohene Djan Stadium under the erstwhile President, John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration.

The group argued that there are several natives of Ga Dangme descent who have excelled and contributed to sports development in the country to deserve such an honour, and thus advised Mr Sarfo Mensah to consider an indigene with a Ga Dangme lineage before he contemplates on renaming the edifice that saw an upgrade during the 2008 AFCON hoisted by Ghana.

“But for the Director General of the NSA who is an Akan to come out boldly to say he will make sure such a facility situated on a Ga Dangme land is named after an Akan is very unfortunate and we see it as an attempt to relegate the Ga Dangmes to the background on our own land. For the records, Kumasi Sports Stadium is named after Baba Yara who is an Asante and a Muslim,” the former management member of the National Juvenile Association of the Ghana Football Association stated in the release.

Nii Ayaafio Tetteh I, a past management member of the Black Princesses, in the statement indicated that former President Jerry John Rawlings promoted Ga Dangmes, however, “the immediate past National Democratic Congress (NDC) government did not live up to the standard and are demanding that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) honours its promises in uplifting the image of Ga Dangmes.

The group, therefore, petitioned the Sports Minister, Isaac Asiamah, to ensure that fairness prevails and the proper things are done.

Additionally, they called on the Council of State member, Adjiri Blankson, Energy Minister, Boakye Agarko, both Ga Dangmes, to resist the move to sideline Ga Dangmes.

The group further threatened a demonstration and series of protests if the move was not halted. Also copied in the petition are Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Deputy Greater Accra regional Minister, Elizabeth Naa Kwaatsoo Sackey.