Ghana Earmarks GH¢600 Million for Ten Regional Stadia, with Construction Set to Begin Before Year-End

The government has allocated GH¢600 million for the construction of ten multipurpose regional stadia across the country, with the Sports Minister indicating that contracts will be awarded by the end of November and contractors are expected on site before the end of December.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the allocation during the presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026. The GH¢600 million forms part of a total budgetary provision of GH¢782 million for the Ministry of Sports and Recreation .

"We have allocated GH¢600 million within that envelope towards the construction of 10 regional stadia to bring more sporting opportunities within reach," Dr. Forson told Parliament .

The Breakdown by Region

Seven regions will each receive a 5,000-seater multipurpose stadium: Western North, North East, Ahafo, Upper East, Upper West, Bono East, and Oti. Two additional 10,000-seater facilities will be built in the Savannah and Bono regions, while the Volta Region will receive the largest under the programme—a 12,000-seater stadium .

The facilities are intended to support school and grassroots sports development, structured competitions, talent identification, and athlete progression, extending standard sporting infrastructure beyond Ghana's major urban centres .

Sites Identified, Procurement Advanced

Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddie Adams has disclosed specific locations for the projects: Sujoso in Western North; Nyamebekyere between Mim and Goaso in Ahafo; Oforikrom near Techiman in Bono East; Damongo in Savannah; Nalerigu in North East; Bukere in Upper East; Wa in Upper West; Guama in the Buem constituency; Ho in Volta; and Abesim in Bono .

Adams said consultants have been procured, designs completed, Bills of Quantities prepared, and the process has passed through the Public Procurement Authority. Bids are expected to be opened by November 20, with contract awards before the end of the month. "Before December ends, contractors will be on site," he affirmed .

The government's original manifesto commitment covered six stadia, but the programme was expanded to ten after a review. Adams explained that procuring all ten together was more efficient than a phased approach .

Broader Sports Agenda

The stadium programme sits within a wider sports development agenda outlined in the 2027 Budget. 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 under Act 1159, is designed to provide structured, predictable financing for athlete welfare, grassroots development, and sports infrastructure, with an 11-member governing board already inaugurated .

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

A Race Against Time

The infrastructure push intersects with Ghana's preparations to host the 2027 CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for February and March 2027. A CAF technical report following a January 2026 inspection classified Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi as non-compliant with Category 4 requirements, citing a deteriorating playing surface, defective irrigation, and inadequate security systems. Accra and Cape Coast stadiums were rated partially compliant .

The Ghana Football Association has insisted the tournament will go ahead as planned. Whether the new regional stadia—none of which are among the proposed AFCON venues—can be delivered on schedule will depend on procurement timelines that the government has now made public, but which leave little margin for delay.