The state of Baba Yara Stadium is worrying - Sammy Anim Addo

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council member Sammy Anim Addo has raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the Baba Yara Stadium.

The venue is Ghana's sole approved site for international matches is facing potential issues just weeks before the crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola.

Last Thursday, the stadium hosted a large crusade led by William Kumuyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry.

The decision to allow the organizers to set up a stage, canopies, and numerous seats directly on the pitch has sparked outrage within the football community.

They fear that such extensive damage could lead the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to relocate Ghana’s AFCON qualifier on September 2 to another country.

In an interview with Graphic Sports, Mr Addo criticized the National Sports Authority (NSA) for failing to safeguard the pitch.

Despite repeated appeals from the football community and recent recommendations from Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, the NSA has not adopted best practices for renting out stadiums for non-sporting events, including political rallies, concerts, and religious gatherings.

“It’s a big disappointment,” he said. “This [protection of the pitches] has been an issue for discussion for a long time, but the National Sports Authority appears not ready to do the right thing to preserve the pitches. As a country, we must begin to sanction duty bearers to serve as a deterrent.”

He urged club administrators and the FA to press the NSA to create and enforce a policy for renting out stadiums, ensuring proper measures to protect and maintain the playing surfaces, which are costly and time-consuming to repair.

“Do we want to play our home matches in another country because our stadiums are unfit for international matches due to the authorities’ negligence?” questioned the president of the premier league side, Young Apostles FC.

“We invest heavily in building stadiums, but we are not protecting them for sports. We love the game, but we don’t want to protect it," he added.

Earlier this year, the NSA faced criticism from Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee for closing the Accra Stadium for a month to host social events, including the BHIM musical concert, which resulted in significant damage to the playing field.