Western Regional Minister bemoans poor state of Essipong Sports Stadium

The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has expressed regret about the falling standard of sports in the country.

According to him, multiple factors can be attributed to the dwindling performance of the various sporting disciplines in the country, particularly football, which he said is currently on an auto pilot.

The Minister made the observation when addressing the Management and staff of the National Sports Authority (NSA) at the Essipong Sports stadium in the Western Region during his working visit on Wednesday March 19th 2025.

According to the Minister, the downward trajectory of sporting development in the country can be attributed to lack of structures, proper facilities and management capable of being used to develop talents in the country.

He said the country would have to go back to the drawing table and develop effective plans, revive structures, introduce the right techniques and technicalities required to groom young talents across the country.

In soccer, he said many footballers (players) are currently suffering from these setbacks because of the aforementioned challenges.

“What it means to be a tactical player, do they understand?” he questioned.

Minister Nelson explained that elsewhere young talents receive good training, coaching and effective disciplinary measures “Elsewhere they coach them, they shape them, and they perform with discipline at the back of their minds.”

For Ghana to reclaim its former glory in Sports, he suggested the implementation of policies that would make reformation of all the sectors possible “Fundamental things will have to be done” he underscored.

He said reviving sporting activities in the country cannot be done and would not be done with just paying lip service to the problems.

“Not long speeches, but thinking through what has to be done,” he remarked.

Joseph Nelson said the Essipong Sports stadium for instance which is the major sporting facility in Western Region ought to be properly positioned to take care of sporting events in the region.

“A lot needs to be done to bring this place up to the standard required” he observed.

The sports stadium, he noted has been in a deplorable state following lack of effective sporting activities at the facility for many years.

The Minister, nonetheless, assured the Management and staff of the National Sports Authority (NSA) that government through the Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, would address most of the challenges outlined during the meeting.

These challenges include damaged seats, flood lights, broken doors, dry grass turf, due to lack of watering, inadequate security among others.

By Ebenezer Atiemo

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