Editorial
Make Ghana’s stadiums sources of pride, not embarrassment
The state of Ghana’s sports stadium
Dear Editor,
In the heart of Accra, on a day when excitement should have filled the air, there was instead a hushed disappointment. The Black Stars of Ghana, a symbol of national pride, took to the field for an international friendly with Liberia at the Accra Sports Stadium. But the talk of the town was not about the match or the goals scored; it was about the deplorable state of the pitch.
On that fateful September 12, 2023, there was a downpour, and the stadium’s field paid the price. The pitch, once very lush and green, had deteriorated into a sorry state, affecting the flow and beauty of the game. A game that should have been a celebration of talent and teamwork was marred by the poor condition of the playing surface.
Adding to the frustration was the recent statement by the former coach of the Black Stars, Claude Le Roy who lamented that, in his two decades of coaching in Africa, Ghana’s pitches were the worst he’s encountered. It is a sad revelation for a nation that prides itself on its footballing prowess.
But this is not just about football; it is about a fundamental issue – the need for professional facility management. Stadiums like the Accra Sports Stadium should be showcasing excellence, not symbols of neglect. When we prioritise facility management, we invest in the very essence of our national identity.
Imagine a scenario where trained professionals oversee the maintenance of our sports facilities. A team of experts ensuring the pitch is impeccable, the seats are comfortable, and the facilities are top-notch. This is not a dream; it is a standard that many nations uphold.
Professional facility managers bring efficiency, expertise, and a commitment to excellence. They understand the importance of regular maintenance, the value of timely repairs, and the significance of creating a welcoming environment for fans and athletes alike.
As we reflect on the disappointment of that rainy September day, let it serve as a wake-up call. Ghana’s stadiums should be sources of pride, not embarrassment.
It is time to invest in the professionals who can turn these venues into world-class facilities. Let us call for the appointment of trained Facility Managers to oversee our stadiums, beginning with the Accra Sports Stadium.
Only then can we ensure that every match, every event, and every visit is an experience of excellence, befitting our nation’s rich sporting heritage.
Prince Botwe, Accra
In addition to the severe flooding that Accra is already experiencing a major sanitation crisis is imminent as the Kpone dump approaches closure.
Currently, there are now just two significant disposal sites in the area: the Adepa dumpsite in the Ga West Municipal Assembly, which is close to Amasaman, and the Kpone Waste Landfill.
Inquiries so far, revealed that the Kpone site is almost at capacity and will likely close in the next six months. As a result, waste is accumulating at local markets and municipal collection points throughout the capital.
The situation has been made worse by the recent terrible floods, and immediate action is required to prevent the impending crisis.
The fundamental issue is that accumulating uncollected waste during rainy seasons poses significant threats to public health, including the possibility of cholera, typhoid, and malaria outbreaks.
Subsequent investigations showed that the Kpone plant, which was initially built to manage 500 tonnes of waste per day, has been handling almost twice that much, shortening its lifespan.
Many towns’ waste collection operations have been badly impacted by this looming shutdown, and the fact that Accra has few disposal choices is even more disturbing.
Now, waste collection vehicles face abnormally long queues at the Kpone site, and residents complain that most of the tricycles, referred to as “Aboboyaa,” leave rubbish uncollected in residential and commercial areas.
Although the Zoompak waste transfer station was authorised by the government to reopen in order to help manage daily waste volumes, it is still unable to handle the enormous volumes of waste generated every day.
According to Dr. Peter Kwesi Dagadu, Managing Director of the Landfills Company Limited, managing the capital’s expanding waste burden has become extremely difficult due to the scarcity of disposal facilities, especially in light of the city’s fast population increase and rising waste production.
As a result, the situation has put a great deal of strain on the infrastructure already in place and jeopardizes attempts to keep Accra’s waste management system sustainable and effective.
The Spectator agrees with him that new infrastructure for disposing of waste is desperately needed, as a change to a more environmentally friendly waste management techniques.
It is admirable that he suggests Ghana adopt recycling and garbage recovery as a long-term solution to the nation’s sanitation problems.
We therefore, implore the government to support this recycling objective by enacting strict laws, regulations, investments, and enforcement measures to enhance waste management nationwide.
In order to address the waste problem as quickly as possible, everyone must be involved, including private waste management companies, individuals, and households.
Dear Editor,
I wish to express concern over the allegations that some officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) demanded money from players before they are selected for national teams.
If these allegations are true, then, they threaten fairness and integrity in Ghana football.
Just as is done in other countries, selection into any national team should be based solely on merit -talent, discipline, hard work and performance, not on a player’s ability to pay money.
Such practices, if allowed to continue, will discourage many talented but less privileged players from pursuing their dreams. It will also damage the reputation of the GFA and reduce public confidence in the country’s football administration.
Those reports are quite unfortunate but some of us want to believe in the response issued by the FA but would also advise the GFA to conduct some investigation, because like it is often said, there is no smoke without fire.
If it means an individual is going about making such demands on the blind side of the FA, such an investigation can expose the person.
I therefore urge the GFA to investigate these allegations thoroughly and transparently. Any official found guilty should face the appropriate sanctions. At the same time, individuals making the allegations should provide credible evidence so the truth can be established.
Ghanaian football belongs to all of us, and we must protect its integrity by ensuring that merit, transparency and accountability guide player selection.
From John Boateng,
Mamprobi
