The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has announced the imminent closure of the Accra Sports Stadium for major renovation works following Ghana’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Chad on March 21, 2025.
Speaking in an interview with TV3, Mr. Adams emphasized that the state of the stadium has deteriorated significantly, making urgent refurbishments necessary to ensure structural safety and compliance with modern standards.
“We have to close the Accra Sports Stadium to refurbish it and bring it up to standard,” he stated.
Structural Concerns and Safety Issues
The Minister highlighted critical safety concerns identified during an engineering assessment, particularly the integrity of the upper stands and the condition of the stadium’s floodlights.
“The engineers advised that the entire upper stand towards Independence Square must not be utilized because it has integrity issues, so we will not have supporters there,” he revealed.
Further inspections revealed severe rusting of metal components, including the knobs holding the floodlights, raising further concerns about the facility’s overall structural integrity.
“The stadium is virtually in a mess,” Mr. Adams concluded.
Timeline and Previous Renovations
The Accra Sports Stadium last underwent significant renovations in 2018, ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Ghana hosted. However, four months of inactivity since November 2024 have not allowed for the necessary repair work to be undertaken.
With the planned temporary closure, the government aims to modernize the facility and enhance safety for players, officials, and supporters.
Further details regarding the renovation timeline and alternative venues for upcoming sporting events are expected to be communicated in due course.
