Date: August 5, 2025 |

Today, I say with a heavy heart but unwavering resolve to address the dire state of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the cherished home of Asante Kotoko, as they prepare for the CAF Confederation Cup. Kotoko, a symbol of Ghanaian football excellence and our proud

representative on this continental stage, deserves a venue that reflects our nation’s ambition. Yet,

seven months into the NDC’s governance since January 2025, this iconic Kumasi Stadium remains unfit, its pitch degraded, its facilities faltering, a challenge we must confront together.

The National Sports Authority (NSA) has highlighted infrastructure decay, funding shortages, and operational gaps as the root causes. The CAF ban imposed in September 2024, during my government, was a wake-up call we acted on with initial assessments and plans for rehabilitation. However, NSA Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah’s admission on August 4, 2025, that the stadium still falls short, signals a missed opportunity under the current administration. The NDC must prioritize the need for repairs, funds that remain unallocated despite their promises. The stakes are high. Kotoko, forced to play away loses its home advantage, and Ghana’s global image takes a hit. A nation unable to host its champions risks ridicule across Africa, while Kumasi’s economy loses vital match-day revenue.

Our youth, inspired by Kotoko’s legacy, deserve better than this neglect. As the NPP Minority,

we call for urgent action: release emergency funds, strengthen NSA leadership, and restore Baba

Yara to CAF standards. We acknowledge our past efforts and now urge the NDC to build on

them. Ghana’s pride and Kotoko’s success depend on it. Let’s unite to reclaim our stadium and our standing, together, we can do this.

Vincent Ekow Assafuah Esq

Member of Parliament, Old Tafo Constituency.

Ranking, Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports