Veteran football administrator Alhaji Karim Grusah has questioned the Ghanaian government’s decision to build 10 new stadiums, arguing that the country’s football authorities should address more urgent problems before investing in infrastructure.
Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams announced the stadium plan at the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Congress at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Thursday, 20 August 2026.
Adams said President John Dramani Mahama had reviewed an earlier decision to construct six mini-stadiums and expanded the project to cover 10 regions.
But Grusah, the owner of King Faisal Football Club, believes improving the state of football itself should take priority. He said the game had regressed significantly and questioned whether money spent on national teams and other football-related programmes had delivered meaningful results.
“If we build 100 stadiums and you don’t work for football to thrive, it is unnecessary. What will you do with stadiums when your football is sinking? Minister, you have work to do. He is sleeping. The funds they invested in junior national teams, tickets, and other areas, what benefits have they brought?” he questioned in Twi during an interview with Asempa FM.
Grusah urged the sports minister to take a closer look at the wider challenges facing Ghanaian football rather than concentrating primarily on stadium construction.
His criticism comes as the GFA prepares to provide financial support to clubs competing in the Ghana Premier League. Under the arrangement discussed at the congress, every GPL club will receive GH¢1m, while the league champions will be awarded GH¢3m.
However, Grusah said the proposed amounts would not be enough to meet the costs involved in running a professional football club. He described the payment as a subsidy rather than genuine sponsorship and said clubs would still face significant financial pressure.
He also said he would continue to speak publicly about the condition of football in Ghana, despite claiming that he had been threatened because of his comments.
“If I talk then I am threatened to be beaten. I won’t mention any name. I won’t sit for football to spoil. Ask the Premier League clubs if one million is enough to build a team, it only subsidizes, not sponsorship,” the football administrator bemoaned.
The debate over stadium investment follows wider concerns about the effectiveness of spending on Ghana’s national teams, including the junior sides. Grusah’s comments also add pressure on the government and football authorities to demonstrate how new facilities would support the development and competitiveness of the sport.
Separately, GFA president Kurt Okraku has rewarded Benjamin Asare with a brand-new car valued at $38,000.
