Accra, Aug 14, GNA - Mr Joe Aggrey, Deputy Minister of Youth, Education and Sport has stressed the need for proper accountability at the gates of the various stadiums to ensure that the clubs and all stake holders get what is due them from gate proceeds.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday to introduce a British Expert in crowd control devices, the Minister said the need for appropriate structures has become necessary in view of the loss of enormous revenue at the gates.
He said the visit of the expert is a follow up to the recent visit by a pitch specialist to inspect the turf at the Accra and Kumasi Sports Stadium.
Addressing the conference, Mr Alexander Cameron Tait, Chief Executive Officer of Camtec Group which specialise in the electronic designing and installation of stadium crowd management and safety system said their products are used in most stadiums in England and Scotland. He said the system comprised turnstile crowd counting device with full audit trails for ticketing and crowd control and close circuit television for monitoring spectators at matches.
Mr Tait said the turnstile system complements the work of stewards, because it monitors and directs them to incidents that arise in the course of a game.
He said they also provide communication network of telephones at key locations within the grounds to allow stewards to report or be directed to assist where crowd problems could or have arisen.
Mr Tait said he is in the country at the invitation of the YES to investigate ways that Camtec could assist in the development of infrastructure for the benefit of spectator and stadium management.
"The ministry has recognized that for football within the country to move forward and for Ghana to be respected on the world stage as a football nation, there is the need to address the fundamental requirements at the foundations of the sport".
He said while football is a sport, it must also be considered a business; "if the business element is successful the sporting achievements will naturally follow, since wealth and success go hand in hand".
Mr Tait said the task set for him by the ministry would not be achieved overnight and would require the support of all stakeholders in the game.
He said his visit is a fact finding one to gain and absorb information in order to be able to provide a plan to be presented to the minister.
