The Acting Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, has said measures have been put in place to protect the pitch during the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD) programme at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The event, organised by Nigerian pastor Jerry Eze, is scheduled for November 7, 2026, sparking concerns among some Ghanaians due to the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Somalia at the same venue.

Addressing these concerns, Prof Sarpong said the pitch would not be used during the NSPPD event, as barricades would be erected around it to prevent access.

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“NSPPD has a programme on the 7th [of November], but it is strictly restricted to the other enclave of the stadium without touching any green. The grass is completely exempt. Not even walking on it is allowed; it will be guarded with barricades,” he told Sporty FM in an interview.

The Acting NSA Director-General also disclosed that maintenance work was ongoing on the pitch to ensure it was in good condition ahead of the Black Stars’ game against Somalia, in a move aimed at allaying public concerns.

“The understanding is that we are doing a pitch recovery programme that started in stages. We did the fertilising, flooding and growing. Now one part has grown, so we are doing the mowing.

“If you come to the stadium, about 80% of the field is green, except one side, which is a bit scorched. That is where we are doing the fertilising. We will be watering it to allow it to grow, and because of that, nobody is allowed to touch any part of the pitch,” he said.

SB/JKB

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