The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has revealed that a section of the Accra Sports Stadium has been closed to fans due to serious safety concerns regarding its structural integrity.
The Accra Sports Stadium, a historic venue with a capacity of 35,000 and the traditional home of Accra Hearts of Oak, has faced ongoing scrutiny over its condition.
The NSA’s decision to cordon off the affected area, notably during Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chad in March 2025, was driven by expert advice.
Engineers have raised red flags about the compromised state of the stands, particularly at the Independence Square end, leading to immediate action to protect spectators.
“When you look at the stands, we don’t have any fans there during games. The structural integrity of that place has been compromised. This means we cannot be sure of what will happen if there are people there and there is pressure,” Ampofo Ankrah stated in an interview aired by Peace FM.
In response, the NSA has engaged the original builders of the stadium, including Micheletti & Co. Ltd., to conduct a thorough assessment and determine the necessary repairs.
“Experts, engineers, when I came, they said that place, we are not sure. We need to do more tests, so we advise that don’t let fans sit there. That is what we did exactly. So beyond that, Micheletti and those original engineers, those who built the stadium, we have engaged them to find out exactly what needs to be done, how soon it will be done, and how much it will cost and the processes”.
This move underscores the NSA’s commitment to ensuring the stadium meets safety standards set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA. The assessment will provide a detailed roadmap for repairs, including timelines and costs, to restore the affected stands to full functionality.
