Accra Sports Stadium floodlight repairs could cost GH¢2m – NSA

Repairing the damaged floodlights at the Accra Sports Stadium could cost between GH¢1.5m and GH¢2m, according to Acting Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Prof. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong.

The NSA boss has also warned that the work may not be completed before Ghana's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Somalia in November, leaving uncertainty over the stadium's readiness to host evening football matches.

Speaking to Citi Sports, Prof. Osei Sarpong said the extent of the damage and the technical demands of the repairs made it difficult to guarantee a completion date.

“Maybe between 1.5 million and 2 million. Because it’s a huge thing,” he said.

The floodlight system was reportedly damaged by a rainstorm on 29 April, when heavy rainfall and strong winds affected the Accra Sports Stadium. One of the lighting towers sustained significant structural damage, while other parts of the system were also affected.

The damage has created a major repair challenge for the NSA, which must assess the condition of the equipment and determine the work required to restore the lighting system.

Prof. Osei Sarpong explained that the repairs would involve specialised machinery, cranes and work on the metal structures supporting the floodlights.

He said the authority was not in a position to assure the public that the facility would be ready before Ghana's upcoming matches 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.

His comments underline the uncertainty surrounding the restoration work as Ghana prepares for the November qualifiers.

The Accra Sports Stadium remains an important venue for football in the country, but the damaged lighting system presents a challenge for the hosting of matches that require adequate illumination after dark.

The NSA is expected to have the damage assessed by engineers before the repair work begins. Prof. Osei Sarpong said the authority wanted to ensure that the work provided a lasting solution rather than rushing to complete it before the national team's fixtures.

The assessment will help establish the full extent of the damage and the measures required to make the system suitable for use again.

The anticipated cost of GH¢1.5m to GH¢2m reflects the scale of the work involved, according to the acting director-general. The need for specialised equipment and repairs to the supporting structures means the process could be more complicated than routine maintenance.

Although the floodlights remain a concern for football matches, Prof. Osei Sarpong indicated that they could still be used for other programmes at the stadium. However, they are not considered suitable for football fixtures that require the full lighting system.

This distinction leaves the stadium with limitations while the authority works towards restoring the floodlights to the required standard.

With Ghana's AFCON qualifiers against Somalia scheduled for November, the timing of the repairs will be important. The NSA has not guaranteed that the work will be completed before those fixtures, meaning uncertainty remains over whether the stadium's lighting system will be ready in time.

The authority's next steps will involve assessing the damage and determining how best to carry out the necessary repairs.

For now, the NSA has indicated that it intends to prioritise a durable fix, even as questions remain about whether the floodlights can be restored before Ghana's November matches.