Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Abdulai Ayariga, says the total cost of construction works at the Azumah Nelson Sports Complex will only be disclosed after the project is fully completed, as authorities are still awaiting final figures from consultants.
The long-delayed facility was originally earmarked for refurbishment in March 2018 under then Sports Minister Isaac Asiamah, with an initial projection of $4 million to transform it into a modern multi-purpose complex aimed at boosting grassroots sports development in Ghana.
However, after several years of stalled progress and implementation setbacks, the eventual cost is widely expected to rise when the project is finally completed, with current timelines pointing toward late 2026.
Speaking on the matter, Ayariga emphasised the need for caution and due process before any financial figures are made public.
“I wouldn’t want to take the wind out of the sail since we’re already engaging the consultant to give us the figures. The figures have not yet come back to me, so I wouldn’t want to go into figures that I would find very difficult to defend in the future.
So I would rather ask us to be a bit patient if I have the full figures from the consultant, if we need to go to the right legal processes to have it approved.”
He further assured that transparency would be maintained once the full financial scope is established, indicating that the public will be duly informed through the appropriate channels.
“The entire public will be aware if we have to advertise it, we have to do that. Everybody will be aware that this is what we need to complete it. This is the figure that we need.
This is what government is giving us and this is when we’ll be able to complete it.
The Azumah Nelson Sports Complex, once envisioned as a flagship youth and sporting hub, has become symbolic of Ghana’s broader infrastructure challenges.
“I would rather ask us to be a bit patient, if I have the full figures from the consultant, then we can announce it to the public” – Osman Ayariga, National Youth Authority, CEO.
When asked about the overall cost of the🇬🇭Azumah Nelson Sports Complex once completed.#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/wXwWeOPdZJ
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) February 10, 2026
Its completion is expected to play a key role in revitalising community sports and youth development initiatives across the country.
