I can't promise new stadiums - John Dramani Mahama

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, has stated that he cannot assure Ghana of building new stadiums to improve the country's sporting activities if voted into power.

He asserted that the current economy is in crisis, thus promising new stadiums would be out of place.

He stated that his government plans to invest in good infrastructure like roads, agricultural industries, and others that would ensure an upturn in the country's economy.

"In the current crisis in which we are, I would not stand here and promise that we will build a new stadium," he said. "But I've said that under the big push, we intend to spend a certain amount of money over five years on providing good infrastructure to include roads, bridges, agro-industrial parks, and so on and so forth," he said during a press briefing on Sunday, July 7, 2024.

The former president, however, indicated that sports facilities could be considered, and thus allocations would be made for building a stadium if it is included in their infrastructure plans. "That could include sports facilities. And if we make an allocation, then we probably would look at providing such a stadium," he concluded.

The Borteyman Sports Complex along with the University of Ghana Stadium are the two standardized sporting facilities available.

Regarding standard football pitches, the country does not have a FIFA standard football pitch as the five national stadiums are in a deteriorated state.

EE/OGB