The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Professor Peter Twumasi on Wednesday August 18, 2021, took time out of his busy schedule to visit the Ashanti Regional NSA Directorate where he inspected the progress of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi.
Prof Twumasi’s visit was among other things to welcome the newly recruited staff of the NSA in the Ashanti Region and then also, to inspect the development of the famous Baba Yara Sports Stadium that has been closed for over 12 months due to renovation works.
Present during the visit were the Acting Director of the Ashanti Regional Directorate, Mr Edmond Appiah, CEO of Green Grass Technology Ltd (GGT) Mr Frank Boahene and the entire management of the Ashanti Regional Directorate.
Renovation works at the Baba Yara Sports stadium have been ongoing since the stadium was closed down in February 2020 but after over a year of closure and refurbishing the facility, it is evident, the stadium is now taking shape and the first phase of the edifice is nearing its completion.
The renovation is at an advanced stage since major works such as grassing of the pitch is done. Moreover, the seats have been fixed, floodlights have been installed while underground drainage systems of the pitch have also been completed with tartan tracks being laid as well.
The tireless NSA boss during the inspection interacted with the Managing Director of Green Grass Technology Ltd Mr Frank Boahene who provided update on the current state of the pitch.
The expert, Frank Boahene briefed the Director General on what has been done on the turf since his last visit and what else needs to be done to ensure, everything falls within the required standards upon its full completion.
The GGT boss however reaffirmed his commitment in ensuring, the facelift is completed within time and when completed, the facility will be commissioned for use soon.
Prof Twumasi, after the technical briefing met the staff of the NSA including the new recruits who have been stationed in the Ashanti region. It will be recalled, the NSA received financial clearance in 2020 to recruit new technical and other supporting staff to fill vacancies across the 16 Regional Directorates.
Individuals with the requisite qualification and skill have thus been appointed to the various offices under the Authority and as part of the government’s ongoing drive to augment the Authority to enhance sports development and promotional activities, the Ashanti Region, like all other regions received a fair share of these personnel to strengthen its staff.
Speaking to the staff during the short meeting, the NSA boss reminded the newly recruited personnel of their responsibilities as staff of the NSA and also, implored them to work audaciously in line with accomplishing the NSA’s long standing mandate of enhancing sports development and achieving excellence.
According to Prof. Peter Twumasi whose heart-warming speech drew applauds from the staff , the services of the NSA are rather needed at the present the most as hosting of the 2023 African Games beckons. He also revealed, the NSA is expected to organize nationwide training workshop for the new 250 employees of the Authority to enhance their performance at their respective offices.
On his part, the acting Director of the Ashanti Regional Directorate, Mr. Edmond Appiah on behalf of his regional staff thanked the Director General for his visit. He appreciated the efforts of government and the NSA Director in particular for the opportunity to expand the human resource availability. Mr Edmond Appiah also assured the NSA boss of his continuous supervision which will invariably inure to the benefit of the NSA and Ghana as a whole.
Professor Peter Twumasi has been paying regular visits across the 16 regions as part of his technical interactions with sports development officers and facility managers as the NSA works to ensure total sports development and the provision of quality sports facilities across the country.
Source: Stephen Afful/NSA