Minister dissatisfied with training pitches.

Essipong, (W/R) Aug. 27, GNA - Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Education, Science and Sports had expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work at the four training pitches and the external works at the Essipong sports Stadium.

The pitches at Sekondi, Fijai, Gyandu and behind the Essipong Stadium have all showed that the works are not on schedule and ready for use. Prof. Fobih, was is in the Western Region on Monday to inspect the ongoing works at the Essipong Stadium and the training pitches to ascertain the level of work at the venue, one of the hosting venues of the CAN 2008.

The Minister however commended the Shanghai Construction Company for their excellent work and urged fellow Ghanaians to emulate their spirit of timeliness.

He said even though the stadium and all its internal works were almost complete, the slow pace of work at the various training pitches and outside the stadium, which were awarded to Ghanaian contractors if not hastened could embarrass the country.

Prof. Fobih therefore urged the various local contractors to increase their work force, use modern constructional equipment and machinery to enable them complete their part of the works on schedule. He said the country would not be prepared to sacrifice its reputation for the convenience of any non-performing contractor. Prof. Fobih said the award of several projects to one contractor apart from delaying constructional works could also result in shoddy works and therefore suggested that many contracts should not be assigned to one individual at the same time. He advised contractors who have been awarded several contracts to sub-let some to other contractors to enable them complete the projects on time.

Prof. Fobih asked the contractors not to use excuses to delay the projects adding that the projects were time-bound and any delay would cost the country dearly.

Mr. Anthony E. Amoah, Western Regional Minister said finance was not a problem for the various contractors and so they should not use that as an excuse to delay the projects. He said effective monitoring and supervision was the only way by which the contractors can be made to live up to expectation. The four training pitches were awarded to Greengrass Technology Ghana Limited based in Accra.

A security wall around the stadium is under construction while the playing field, seats, scoreboard and all other major works have been completed.

Nana Kobina Nketsia, Chairman of the Venue Organising Committee said parking lots and specially designated buses would be made available to the players during the tournament.

He said various health institutions had also been visited and would be used to provide health care for the players and visiting teams. Mr. Rex Magnus-Danquah, Chief Operating Officer of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of CAN 2008, Mr. Anthony E. Amoah, Western Regional Minister, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Chairman of the Venue Organising Committee (VOC), Mr. Philip K. Nkrumah, Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Chief Executive, the media and officials of the Regional Football Association (RFA) accompanied the Minister on the tour of the sites.