VIDEO: Togbe Afede XIV expresses anger at National Sports Authority's decision to rent Accra Sports Stadium for concerts rather than football activities

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Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, President of Asogli Traditional Area, and former President of the National House of Chiefs who doubles as the Chairman of Accra Hearts Oak has expressed anger at National Sports Authority’s decision to rent Accra Sports Stadium for concerts rather than football activities. He also criticized the current look of the stadium.

The extent of pitch damage at the Accra Sports Stadium, resulting from yuletide concert events hosted by the National Sports Authority, has left Togbe Afede XIV, the board chairman of Accra Hearts of Oak, visibly angered.

At the board meeting which was attended by the press, Togbe Afede XIV poured out that the consistent use of the Accra Sports Stadium for concerts “stinks”.

He said the “edifice was primarily built for sports” not concerts. Even though the club that he chairs, Accra Hearts of Oaks does not have a pitch, it does not warrant the National Sports Authority (NSA) to allow the place to be used for concerts.

Asking, Togbe queried the reason behind the use of the stadium for concerts at the expense of sports-related activities.

“You build a sports stadium to favour concerts in order to raise money to build a stadium. Now you raised the money to build a stadium for what event?..sports or concert?” “What is the logic here?,” he asked.

To Togbe, the stadium is primarily built for sports/football therefore it must serve the said purpose not otherwise.

Further, he delved into the current state of the stadium saying “It makes me ashamed that we can close sports stadium when the league is on. Meanwhile, this edifice was primarily built for sports.

“It hurts. For me as a Ghanaian, it hurts me. Not because of Hearts of Oaks.”

The decision taken by the NSA on the use of the sports stadium for concerts among other non-sports related activities is been described as a strange one. “It seems we are thinking upside down,” Togbe added.

Looking at the current state of the Accra Sports Stadium, many Ghanaians are advocating for the swift construction of dedicated arenas, conference halls, and alternative event venues to meet the escalating demand for concerts.

The consensus is that this proactive measure would alleviate the strain on sports stadiums, such as the Accra Sports Stadium, and ensure better preservation of these facilities.

By creating purpose-built spaces for entertainment events, the idea is to address the growing need while preserving the integrity of sports infrastructure.

Comparisons to developed countries highlight the benefits of having specialized venues for concerts. These countries have successfully implemented such models, minimizing the wear and tear on sports facilities.

Many Ghanaians argue that adopting a similar approach would not only cater to the burgeoning demand for entertainment but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of both sports and cultural event spaces in the country.