The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has announced that the Accra Sports Stadium will be temporarily closed to all activities to allow ongoing renovation works to proceed.
This decision follows remarks by the Sports Minister, who indicated that the stadium would shut down after Ghana’s home match against Chad in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Ampofo Ankrah explained that the closure comes as his team conducts a review of the stadium’s condition, prompted by a security briefing and technical assessments.
The review was necessitated by recent fan breaches, including an incident where the upper terrace near Independence Square—initially designated as closed to the public—was opened to spectators.
He emphasized that until the full review process is complete and recommendations are implemented, no official activities will take place at the stadium.
we’re halfway through our reviews. We’ve had a security briefing and review. We’re having another one where recommendations will be tightened up and then the final report will be presented to the sports minister and other stakeholders. And based on that, the long-term plan will be put into effect. It’s a long-term process and there’ll be no activities here officially for the time being.
The NSA boss added that discussions are ongoing with experts to determine the scope of work needed—ranging from physical structure audits to architectural and engineering considerations.
“There will be no activities here at the Accra Sports Stadium officially, we are half way through our review after the Chad game”-NSA DG, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.
Yaw Ampofo Ankrah speaks on what next at the Accra Sports Stadium after it hosted🇬🇭Ghana’s game against Chad.#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/7NQFShAws8
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) March 28, 2025
The goal, he said, is to arrive at a plan that balances safety, sustainability, and cost-efficiency.
The time span, what can be done in the short term or long term, and at the least cost to the state—these are all decisions that will be guided by expert recommendations,” he noted. “Certainly, we are working around the clock to arrive at those final conclusions.
The Accra Sports Stadium, once a bustling hub for Premier League clubs like Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics, as well as national team fixtures, has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months due to deteriorating facilities, outdated infrastructure, and safety concerns.
Issues such as leaking roofs, poor pitch conditions, and limited spectator safety measures have raised alarm among clubs, fans, and regulatory bodies.
As a result, major stakeholders—including the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports—now await a definitive plan on the stadium’s rehabilitation, as the venue’s long-term viability hangs in the balance.
