By: Kwame Bediako
The Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating condition of the Baba Yara Stadium pitch in Kumasi, declaring it unfit to host any football match at present.
Following an inspection on Thursday July 31, 2025, Mr Ampofo Ankrah admitted to the media that the pitch is currently in such poor shape that “you cannot even play colts football on the pitch.” He attributed the decline partly to unfavourable weather conditions in recent weeks, which have worsened the pitch’s state.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah revealed that Asante Kotoko has officially requested to use Baba Yara Stadium as their home venue for the upcoming season. However, he stressed that the stadium “must first meet required standards” before any games can be hosted there.
“Kotoko officially wrote to us just over a week ago. They wish to use this venue, but like we can all see, we need to make sure everything is in perfect condition before that can be done,” he stated.
To address the problem, the NSA has engaged turf management experts, including Doc from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Frank Boahin, to assess the pitch and provide a realistic timeline for its restoration.
He cautioned against speculation, saying, “If the pitch can be resuscitated in the next few weeks, it is possible, but I cannot sit here and guarantee that. That is why we’ve brought in experts with years of experience so we give the right information, not speculation.”
Emphasising the need for urgency and collaboration among stakeholders, Mr Ampofo Ankrah urged all parties to unite and work hard to meet or even beat the experts’ recommended timeline.
“We need to put our act together, join forces, and make sure it happens. The experts have given us a timeline, and we must work hard to meet or even beat that deadline,” he affirmed.
If the pitch restoration is not completed on time, both Asante Kotoko and Bibiani GoldStars may be forced to find alternative venues for their upcoming African campaign matches, underscoring the critical importance of restoring the Baba Yara Stadium to full functionality before the new season.
