Stadia Construction On Course

MICHELETTI AND Consar Construction firms have begun earnest work at the Accra and Kumasi Stadia, after having signed the contract with the government, last Wednesday, reports Isaac Franklin.

The delay of the signing emerged as a result of certain anomalies, which were reviewed by the government.

The renovation work at the Ohene Djan and Baba Yara Stadia will cost the nation a total of $55 million and will be completed on schedule for the 2008 African Nations Cup.

While work in Kumasi is estimated to cost $25.5million, the cost of that of Accra would cost an extra $4 million, as a result of extra work to be done including the demolition of the Osu stand and its reconstruction to meet international standards.

When Guide Sports visited Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, in Accra, workers were feverishly putting things in order, in their renovation process.

The constructors have in the interim, asked the National Sports Council (NSC) to remove all belongings from the Stadium, to give way to speedy and excellent work-piece.

From early January, this year, the NSC relocated to the former Stadium Clinic, as well as the Stadium Post Office, to continue with its administrative duties. The Clinic, owned by the Civil Service Association has changed place to the former Ghana Football Association (GFA) premises, at the Ministries, while the Post Office has now merged with the Ministries Post Office.

Ghana would be hosting the CAN 2008 finals, at Sekondi, Tamale, Accra, as well as Kumasi, and indications are that, everything would be set, before the tourney.

Construction work at the proposed site for the Sekondi and Tamale Stadia, teed off a couple of months back, and the constructors from a Chinese firm, Shanghai Construction Company, are leaving no stone unturned, to ensure a good work done. The preceding Stadia, which would seat 21,017 spectators, would have a 400-bedroom facility, a space for about 3,039 vehicles, and an outer training pitch. The two Stadiums are being constructed at a cost of $38.5 billion, each, and would each have a seating capacity of about 20,000 spectators.

The Sekondi Sports Stadium would also possess a 250 sitting area for Very Important Personalities (VIP), as well as other facilities including 40-room hotel, restaurant, shopping mall, a gym and Media Centre the press.