Flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2024 Ghana Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, John Dramani Mahama, has slammed the achievements of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in sports.
While addressing a rally on the Greater Accra Region leg of his campaign tour, the former President of Ghana stated that the NPP Government has brought disgrace and embarrassment to Ghana after Africa’s football governing body, CAF, withdrew its approval for the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi to host Category 3 games.
CAF’s ruling means that Ghana has no venue that seats at least 30,000 spectators suitable to host football games involving international teams and countries. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
The ruling from CAF means that Ghana’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Sudan in October will be held in either Togo or Cote D’Ivoire.
Former President Mahama called this “embarrassing” despite the ruling government’s high expenditure on renovating stadia in the country before speaking about the alleged profound expenses incurred as Ghana hosted the 2023 African Games.
“This is an embarrassment. The first time in the history of Ghana, we don’t have a stadium that can host an international match yet they say we should clap for them; they’ve done well. Meanwhile they spent ($)85 million on stadium rehabilitation for the African Games” he said and added that
“When athletes came for the African Games, they spent 15 days in Ghana but ($)15 million was used to feed them. So that means a million dollars was spent everyday. Some of the issues you hear are very shocking.”
Ghana goes the national polls on December 7.
