Repairs to the damaged floodlights at the Accra Sports Stadium could cost between GH¢1.5m and GH¢2m, while the National Sports Authority (NSA) cannot guarantee the work will be completed before Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Somalia in November.
Acting NSA Director-General Prof. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong said the scale of the damage and the technical nature of the work made it impossible to provide a firm completion date.
“Maybe between 1.5 million and 2 million. Because it’s a huge thing,” he told Citi Sports.
The stadium’s floodlight system was reportedly damaged by a rainstorm on 29 April, when heavy rainfall and strong winds affected the facility. One of the lighting towers suffered significant structural damage, with other parts of the system also affected.
The authority now needs to establish the full extent of the damage before deciding how the repairs should be carried out. Prof. Osei Sarpong said the work would require specialised machinery, cranes and repairs to the metal structures supporting the floodlights.
He also rejected suggestions that the system would definitely be restored before Ghana’s November fixtures against Somalia.
“The floodlights are a concern. I can’t promise that before our game against Somalia it would be fixed. If I tell you that, I’m not being honest,” he said.
Assessment before repairs
Engineers are expected to inspect the damaged equipment before the NSA begins the restoration work. Prof. Osei Sarpong said the authority wanted a lasting solution rather than rushing the project simply to meet the national team’s schedule.
The assessment will determine the precise extent of the damage and identify the measures needed to return the floodlights to a suitable standard. The estimated cost of GH¢1.5m to GH¢2m reflects the scale and complexity of that work, including the need for specialist equipment and repairs to the supporting structures.
The Accra Sports Stadium remains an important football venue in Ghana, but the lighting problems have raised doubts about its ability to host matches requiring full illumination after dark.
Prof. Osei Sarpong indicated that the floodlights could still be used for other programmes at the stadium. However, he said they were not regarded as suitable for football fixtures that depend on the complete lighting system.
That leaves the venue with restrictions while the NSA works towards restoring the floodlights. With Ghana’s AFCON qualifiers against Somalia scheduled for November, the timing of the repairs will be crucial.
The authority’s immediate focus is to assess the damage and determine the most effective way to undertake the work. Until that process is complete, uncertainty remains over whether the stadium’s floodlights will be ready for Ghana’s upcoming matches.