Ghana Allocates GH¢782 Million to Sports Ministry, with GH¢600 Million Earmarked for Ten New Regional Stadia

Ghana has allocated GH¢782 million to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation in the 2027 Budget, with the bulk of the funding—GH¢600 million—earmarked for the construction of ten multipurpose regional stadia across underserved parts of the country, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced.

Presenting the 2027 Budget Statement to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026, Dr. Forson said the stadium programme would bring sporting infrastructure closer to communities that have long lacked access to modern facilities .

"We have allocated GH¢782 million to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to support the development of sports and the people who participate in it," Dr. Forson told Parliament .

The Stadium Breakdown

The GH¢600 million allocation will fund facilities of varying capacities across ten regions. Seven regions—Western North, North East, Ahafo, Upper East, Upper West, Bono East, and Oti—will each receive a 5,000-seater multipurpose stadium. The Savannah and Bono regions will each get a 10,000-seater facility, while the Volta Region will receive a 12,000-seater stadium .

The projects are expected to support school and grassroots sports programmes, talent identification, and athlete development, extending standard sporting infrastructure beyond Ghana's major urban centres . The announcement comes as Ghana prepares to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its independence in 2027 .

Legislative and Policy Reforms

Beyond infrastructure, the budget outlines a series of institutional reforms. The government intends to complete the National Sports Policy and its implementation framework, finalise regulations under the Ghana Sports Fund Act, 2025 (Act 1159), and review the Sports Act, 2016 (Act 934) .

The Ghana Sports Fund, established by Act 1159, is designed to provide sustainable financing for sports development through parliamentary allocations, sports lottery proceeds, a share of sports betting taxes, gate proceeds, and corporate donations . The Ministry held a national validation workshop on the draft National Sports Policy in September 2026, and the budget commitment is intended to take the policy through Cabinet and Parliament .

U-20 AFCON Preparations Under Scrutiny

The budget also references Ghana's preparations to host the 2027 CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, a 12-nation tournament scheduled for February and March 2027 . Ghana was awarded hosting rights in April 2026, marking the first time the country will stage the competition since 1999 .

However, a CAF technical report following an inspection in January 2026 identified significant deficiencies. Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi was classified as non-compliant with CAF Category 4 requirements, citing a deteriorating playing surface, defective irrigation, and inadequate security systems. Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Stadium were rated partially compliant . The Ghana Football Association has insisted the tournament will go ahead as planned .

What the Budget Does Not Say

The remaining GH¢182 million of the Ministry's allocation has not been broken down in the budget details provided. How much will go toward national teams, athlete welfare, the U-20 AFCON organisation, or the operational costs of the National Sports Authority remains unclear .

The government has also not announced construction timelines, selected contractors, or specific project locations for the ten stadia. With Parliament beginning deliberations on the budget, stakeholders in the sports sector will be watching closely to see whether the GH¢782 million translates into shovels in the ground—and whether Ghana's facilities are ready in time for the continental spotlight in early 2027.