Editorial
Let Department of Parks and Gardens handle, manage stadium pitches
Some officials inspecting the Accra Stadium pitch
Dear Editor,
Over the years, Ghanaians have complained about the lack of football pitches in the country because they felt they did not meet international standards in terms of quality.
Some are even of the view that the nature of our football pitches have affected the quality of play in our local league and not making it attractive for sponsors to come on board.
However, in 2008, when Ghana won the bid to host the African Cup of nations, many believed that it was a game-changer and a turn in fortunes for our football because new stadiums were built while already existing ones such as the Accra Sports Stadium and the Baba Yara Sports stadium in Kumasi, were renovated.
On a casual visit to the stadium, one observed the grass looking so green, which was pleasing to the eye. I also remember watching a match between Kotoko and Liberty at the Baba Yara Sports stadium a few months after the African Cup, and the quality of football was top-notch.
The maintenance of the pitches was entrusted to a company called Green Grass Technology.
Fourteen years after, the state of the stadiums is nothing to be proud of. Players of the Black Stars have expressed concerns about it while an official lost his job for allegedly hiring the stadium out.
As if that was not enough, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned Ghana from playing its home matches at the Accra Sports Stadium due to its poor nature.
Following the ban, the National Sports Authority (NSA) closed down the stadium for rehabilitation works to take place.
The stadium was recently opened for use. My worry is that why are we failing to maintain our pitches. One may argue that the cost of maintenance or getting it to meet international standards would be a problem.
If that is the case, then I am of the view that we should let the Department of Parks and Gardens under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to take care of our pitches by planting new green grass to replace those the old ones and also be responsible for the natural grass pitches across the country.
By so doing, we would save the country some money than giving the contract to individuals or companies who may not do a good work at the end.
Dear Editor,
I wish to use this esteemed platform to urge the traditional councils of Osu and La to call for independent investigation into the recent demolition exercise at Kaajaano.
The exercise rendered hundreds homeless.
Information about the reason for the demolition has been scanty with those desiring to know feeding heavily on social media posts.
One particular name –Jato, has been associated with it but under whose instruction the exercise was carried is also not known.
Sadly, instead of getting to know who ordered the demolition and for what reasons, traditional authorities of Osu and La have been embroiled in a tug-of-war over ownership of the said land.
This is premature. At this moment, they should call for investigation into the exercise to know the people behind it.
When that is done, then discussions about the owners of the site can begin. That would end the posture of the two neighbouring town which has the potential to turn into something else.
Ataa Osa Mensah,
Osu
Dear Editor,
I wish to use your respected platform to draw the attention of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to the behaviour of traders and some drivers about the use of lower denomination coins, specifically the 20 and 10 pesewas.
About two weeks ago, I read in your sister newspaper, The Ghanaian Times about this problem and the caution that followed from the BoG and some economic analysts.
The warning they gave was that the continuous rejection of the notes could create pricing problems which can eventually affect inflation.
I thought that would put to bed that practice or refusal to accept the coins when given out as change or use to pay for particular service.
Unfortunately, the problem still persist among traders, drivers, customers and passengers alike. Only last week, there was as altercation in the Accra Central area where a woman refused to accept five 20 pesewas note totaling one cedi.
As the argument continued, the trader decided not to sell to the customer again after by-standers explained to her that it was still a legal tender and those that refused it could become offenders.
This is an issue the BoG and other regulatory agencies must go and explain to the people and let them know that it is unlawful not to accept a currency that is still in use.
It nothing was done, it could create a much more serious problems.
Mary Osei Badu,
Swedru
