Financial burden of pitch management puts Ghana football at risk
The spotlight has turned once again to the state of football pitches in Ghana, following the uproar over the poor condition of the Baba Yara sports Stadium.
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After the Black Stars’ unexpected 0-1 loss to Angola, attention shifted from the score line to the deteriorating playing surface, with Ghana’s coach, Otto Addo, and his Angolan counterpart, Pedro Goncalves, voicing their frustration at the substandard pitch.
Goncalves did not mince words, remarking, “A country like Ghana deserves a better pitch,” while Coach Addo hinted that the poor surface contributed to a defensive error that led to the decisive goal.
The aftermath was even more damning, as the Ghana Football Association (GFA) revealed that defender Jerome Opoku’s injury had worsened due to the substandard surface during training at the Baba Yara Stadium. This further underscored the critical need for proper pitch maintenance, which has been a persistent issue for Ghana over the years.
Despite the Baba Yara Stadium being the only facility in Ghana certified to host international matches, its poor state is not only a danger to players but also a stain on the nation’s footballing reputation.
The safety of the athletes, the quality of football played, and the overall perception of Ghana’s football infrastructure are all in jeopardy if swift action is not taken.
Plea for better facilities
The outcry over the state of Ghana’s pitches has not only come from foreign coaches. During a visit by Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to the Black Stars’ camp last June, ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifier, Ghana’s captain Thomas Partey made a heartfelt appeal for better facilities.
“We are asking for a good stadium because we want to play better football,” pleaded the Arsenal midfielder. Partey’s comments reflect the sentiments of many players who feel that improved infrastructure is essential to their performance.
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However, instead of addressing these legitimate concerns, the National Sports Authority (NSA) has often responded with defensiveness. After the loss to Angola, NSA Deputy Director General Majeed Bawa sarcastically asked whether the Angolan team was "playing in the sky" when confronted with criticism about the pitch. Such remarks, while dismissive, miss the point.
The underlying issue remains the urgent need for enhanced pitch maintenance across all state-owned stadiums.
To its credit, the NSA has announced the temporary closure of the Baba Yara Stadium from September 10 to October 6 for routine maintenance.
While this is a step in the right direction, it begs the question: why has such maintenance not been a regular occurrence? The answer lies, unsurprisingly, in the lack of financial resources.
Financial strain of maintenance
Maintaining high-quality football pitches is an expensive endeavour. It requires not only expertise but also significant investment in materials, regular upkeep and manpower.
Frank Boahene, CEO of Green Grass Technology (GGT) and Ghana’s leading expert in pitch management, believes the issue is largely financial, not technical.
Boahene, who previously worked as a pitch manager for English Premier League club Fulham, explained to Graphic Business that the NSA has consistently struggled to allocate sufficient resources for proper pitch maintenance.
“Money is the main problem with maintaining pitches. Payment has always been a challenge, so the pitches don’t get the needed attention,” Boahene explained.
The overuse of facilities without adequate recovery time also contributes to the deterioration of the pitches.
Ghana’s stadiums, such as the Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara Stadium, are not only used for professional league matches but also for school competitions and other non-sporting events, adding to the strain on the grass.
Boahene further pointed out that the cost of pitch construction and maintenance varies depending on the type of grass used, most of which is imported from Europe.
Additional costs such as fertilisers and water supply drive up expenses. He revealed that clubs in England, such as Fulham, spend around £1 million annually on pitch maintenance alone, underscoring the significant financial investment required to maintain world-class playing surfaces.
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Cost of mismanagement
To offset declining revenues from football matches, the NSA often rents out its stadiums for non-sporting events, including religious crusades and concerts.
While these events bring in much-needed funds, they frequently damage the pitches due to poor oversight.
After such events, significant sums must be spent on rehabilitating the playing surfaces, money that could have been used for regular upkeep had the pitches been better protected in the first place.
In stark contrast, some local football clubs in Ghana have set a shining example of what can be achieved with proper pitch management.
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Clubs such as Kpando Heart of Lions, Hearts of Oak, and the Right to Dream Academy have invested in high-quality pitches that rival those found abroad.
These successes highlight that with the right financial commitment and expertise, Ghana is capable of maintaining top-tier pitches.
The stakes are high. Poor pitch conditions not only endanger players by increasing the risk of injury, but they also diminish the quality of football played.
If the Baba Yara Stadium’s standards continue to decline, Ghana risks having the facility blacklisted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), meaning the national team could be forced to host international matches abroad.
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Such a scenario would not only be an embarrassment but also a significant blow to Ghanaian football fans, who would miss the chance to see their national team play on home soil.
Call for change
The quality of a football pitch is critical to both player safety and performance.
Well-maintained pitches allow for fluid gameplay, reduce the risk of injury and enhance the visual appeal of the game for spectators.
Mr Boahene’s firm and other pitch experts at Right to Dream Academy have proven that Ghana has the expertise to maintain world-class pitches, but without the necessary financial investment, these efforts will fall short. As Mr Boahene aptly put it, “We want the best, but we must be willing to pay for it.”
In the end, the Ministry of Youth And Sports through its agency, NSA, and its stakeholders, including the GFA, must explore sustainable ways to generate the resources needed to invest in pitch management.
Only then can Ghana ensure that its football facilities meet international standards and support the performance of its teams on the global stage.