Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has raised concerns over Ghana’s readiness to host the upcoming U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), citing inadequate infrastructure and poor maintenance of key facilities.
His remarks come amid growing public criticism following viral images of groundsmen working on the Baba Yara Sports Stadium pitch using methods that have drawn widespread scrutiny.
Two months ago, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially awarded Ghana the hosting rights for the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON in 2027.
However, Ampofo Ankrah insists the country is currently not in a position to stage the tournament unless urgent steps are taken.
Speaking to Sporty FM, he attributed the situation largely to insufficient funding for the upkeep of the Accra Sports Stadium and other sporting facilities.
“If we don’t have funding—whether from corporate bodies, international partnerships, or the state—nothing is going to happen. Where we are now, I don’t think we can host the U-20 AFCON unless we start work immediately,” he stated.
“We have been to the World Cup five times, yet we don’t have a standard stadium. That should worry all of us,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NSA has revealed that a foreign firm has been engaged to assess the condition of the Accra Sports Stadium.
“As we speak, we are expecting a report from a foreign company that conducted a technical review of the facility. They will determine its current state and advise on whether we need renovations or even a temporary closure—be it for a week, a month, or longer,” he explained.
He concluded by noting that experts and engineers will soon provide a clear direction on the stadium’s future, expressing hope that the process will not delay urgent action.
