As anticipation builds for the thrilling clash between Ghana’s Black Stars and Angola’s Palancas Negras in the first round of the AFCON qualifiers, football fans across Ghana are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying encounter.
The match, scheduled for September 5 at Kumasi’s iconic Baba Yara Sports Stadium, carries high stakes, not just for the teams on the pitch but also for the fans in the stands.
While the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ introduction of e-ticketing as part of its digitalisation efforts has received very positive feedback from football fans and attendees, concerns continue to linger over the poor experience of fans when attending a football match at the stadium.
From braving long queues, chaotic ticket-checking booths, ineffective security measures, and unnecessary struggles just to get through the gate to a seat, fans have had to deal with a lot of inconveniences just to watch the Black Stars play.
These have led to overcrowded entry points and, at times, many fans missing the opening moments of the game due to inefficient ticket verification.
Against this background, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Authority are preparing for a massive shift in how fans experience live football in Ghana. For the Ghana versus Angola match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, an entirely new attendee and event management system will go on trial and is set to change the fan experience for good.
It will be recalled that in March 2022, the Vice President, H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia directed the Ministry of Youth and Sports and National Sports Authority to introduce an e-ticketing platform to make it easier and more convenient for fans to purchase match tickets online.
The e-ticketing platform was thus launched and put to the test during the Ghana vs. Nigeria World Cup qualifiers at the Baba Yara Stadium, and it proved to be a resounding success.
With record revenues and attendees, the new digital ticketing solution posted a 103% increase in revenue—an achievement unprecedented in Ghana’s sporting history.
Following the success of the e-ticketing platform, the Premier League Board (PLB) and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) also embraced the system, making match tickets available online.
According to the Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, “The digital economy has come to stay.”
As part of the government’s broader strategy to drive digitalization, his statement reflects the government’s strong commitment to leveraging technology to simplify everyday activities for Ghanaians.
“A core focus of my administration has been to align with the government’s broader vision of a digital economy where sports are enjoyable, hassle-free, and transparent. This platform not only elevates the fan experience but also empowers the entire sports community to play a more active role in our national successes. A streamlined ticketing system guarantees faster access, enhanced security, and a more transparent process for all involved,” he added.
As the Black Stars prepare to take on Angola, fans can look forward to a significantly improved and well-organized matchday experience, that is set to benchmark the same standards fans in the most advanced countries get for attending football matches.
In an interview, the Chairman of the National Sports Authority Mr. Seth Pawwum Boyoyo, who has been a personal champion of this digitalisation initiative, stated,
“Beyond buying tickets online, the e-ticketing platform has now been significantly upgraded to enable attendees to be assigned to specific seats within the stadium. This is a first in Ghana since we hosted the AFCON in 2008.”
Tickets for the Ghana-Angola match will go on sale via www.ghanastadium.com or short code *711#. Football fans will immediately notice an improved experience where attendees can now select an area to sit at the stadium.
On match day, fans can expect a well-organized set-up at the Baba Yara Stadium as the e-ticketing system has been upgraded to include Handheld Point-of-Sale devices for faster ticket verification.
In addition to this, the number of ticket verification and security staff will be significantly boosted with the engagement of over 1,200 match-day personnel to assist fans and allow for quick and smooth entry. These personnel will also guide fans to their assigned seats and resolve minor seating issues.
Additionally, security personnel from the Ghana Police and Ghana Armed Forces will be present throughout the venue, ensuring that fans can enjoy the game in a safe and controlled setting.
Attendees will also receive an improved level of service from the vendors of drinks and snacks as the e-ticketing platform has also been upgraded to enable fans to purchase items at the stadium from more organised and branded vendors, and pay using mobile money.
With the implementation of these plans, being executed with strong private sector participation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports is confident that the match day experience will make attending the game as enjoyable as possible.
As the Black Stars take on the Palancas Negras, the renewed expectation is that fans can now focus on supporting their team without the stress of navigating a chaotic match day experience.
With the pilot of the upgraded e-ticketing and event management platform, Ghanaian football fans are set to witness a new era of convenience and excitement in their match day experience.
Get your tickets early, and be part of the action as Ghana’s journey to AFCON glory begins.
