The National Sports Authority (NSA) has firmly rejected the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly’s attempt to take over the management of the TnA Stadium, as tensions rise over the facility’s upkeep.
The TnA Stadium, constructed with an investment of over $16 million USD by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, was handed over to the NSA in August for management.
However, just weeks into NSA’s stewardship, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Benjamin Kesse expressed concerns about the stadium’s maintenance, stating that several aspects of the facility were not functioning properly.
In response, NSA Deputy Director General Bawa Majeed dismissed the claims, asserting that the NSA remains in full control of the facility.
“They have not taken over and they cannot take over like that,” Majeed said in an interview with Asempa FM. “We can’t take possession of public property like that. The fact that the facility is in the Municipality does not mean it is for the Municipality alone.”
Majeed further explained that while the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation had an agreement with the NSA to manage the stadium, the NSA was open to collaboration with the Assembly.
“They [Gold Fields Foundation] had an agreement with the NSA and will advise us to work with the Assembly, which is even in our laws,” he added.
This dispute comes at a time when the NSA is facing mounting criticism over the poor state of sports facilities in Ghana. The Baba Yara Stadium was recently banned by CAF due to its unsuitable playing field, forcing the Ghana Football Association to look for an alternative venue abroad for the Black Stars’ next 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan.
The stadium crisis also contributed to the dismissal of Dodzie Numekevor as the Director General of the NSA, further highlighting the challenges facing sports infrastructure management in Ghana.