Mahama pledges 7 new stadia for newly created regions in 2026

In 2026, Ghana will build seven new stadiums as part of President John Mahama’s initiative to increase football competition in the nation.

At the Jubilee House on Saturday, the President informed the management of Asante Kotoko and Bibiani GoldStars of this. Ghana is represented in the Confederation Cup by Kotoko and the CAF Champions League by GoldStars.

Ghana is currently experiencing a severe lack of adequate sporting facilities, which coincides with Mahama’s revelation. The sole stadium that now satisfies international standards is the Accra Sports Stadium, which hosts recent Black Stars games in addition to GoldStars and Kotoko during their continental campaigns.

“The Finance Minister is going to present the budget in November, and I was telling the Sports Minister and Director-General of the National Sports Authority that next year we are going to build about seven brand new stadia,” Mahama said, drawing applause. “We want every region to have a stadium fit for purpose so that we can improve playing conditions and make our football more competitive.”

Upgraded for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, stadiums like Baba Yara, Aliu Mahama, and Sekondi Essipong have all suffered greatly, with Essipong in the poorest condition. Additionally, the Cape Coast Stadium, which was put into service in 2016, is in poor shape.

Although Mahama’s promise is applaudable, detractors caution that Ghana runs the risk of making the same mistakes again and having to undertake another expensive reconstruction project years from now if there is no clear maintenance strategy.

Ghana’s Presidency has given $50,000 in Ghana cedi to Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Bibiani Gold Stars, Ghana’s representatives in the 2025–2026 CAF Club Competitions. The clubs were told of the financial boost during President John Dramani Mahama’s speech. The Gold Stars are representing Ghana in the CAF Champions League, while Kotoko is representing Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup.

We know football is an expensive activity especially when you are going out to the continent and so working with my Chief of Staff, we have a token for you…we have $50,000 for each of the two clubs.”

“At least, it will help defray some of the cost of the tickets and the accommodation that you will have to rent when you get into Africa” President Mahama stated.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com/Louis Gyamerah