A group of youth in the Kwahu area, known as Concerned Youth of Kwahu* have called on the president, H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo to as matter of urgency, impress upon the minister of youth and sports to allow the immediate sod cutting and commencement of construction works on the redevelopment of the Nkawkaw sports stadium into a FIFA standard status.
The group, who are all indigenes of the Kwahu community and made up of teachers, students, drivers, footballers, athletes, traders and many others made the passionate appeal when they contributed together to hire a bulldozer equipment to begin grading and preparation works at the Nkawkaw sports stadium to allow for the immediate commencement of construction works on the decades old Nkawkaw sports stadium.
Speaking to journalists on their action, convener for the group, Mr. Owusu Ansah aka Agya Mmre indicate that, since 1972 when Colonel Simple Asante, the then sports minister under president Kutu Acheampong attempted to build a sports stadium for the people of Kwahu, no other government has had interest to continue the project till date.
*”My brothers, let me tell you this historic truth that after Colonel Simpe Asante, a former sports minister under former president Kutu Acheampong attempted to put up this stadium for us here in Kwahu but was stalled due to the palace coup, no government has seen the need to continue. Again, under former president J.A. Kuffour, a promise was made to put up a stadium here to host the 2008 AFCON, but that too did not happen under Hon. Yaw Osafo Marfo so this is the third time a woman, in the person of Lawyer Joyce Opoku Boateng has made a good effort through her office to secure funding for the construction of a befitting facility like this but some individuals have risen to oppose it. We won’t agree and therefore we are calling on the president, H.E. Nana Addo to call his sports minister and anybody responsible to order and make sure the sod cutting of the stadium comes off immediately because, we can’t wait to have the facility”*. He said.
The convener of the group further used the opportunity to remind the president that, the construction of the Nkawkaw stadium was a campaign promise he made to the people of Kwahu in 2016 and therefore must ensure it happens to restore hopes amongst the people of the area.
Nana Adwoa Agyekumwaa, Kwahu Afram Plains North Akroso Adontenghemaa, also a member of the group indicated that, the construction of the stadium will increase economic activities for most women in the area and therefore pleaded with the president to act swiftly on the matter.
*”The reason I have come all the way from Afram Plains to be part of this advocacy is because we the women can’t wait to see the construction of the stadium, since it will increase economic activities for women in this area, including drug stores, water sellers, food sellers and many others “*. She said.
Mr. Kwagyei, a sports instructed at the stadium also commended the group for bringing the bulldozer to grade the pitch.
According to him, the stadium has become the habitat of several dangerous animals such as snakes, scorpions and many other who often harm little children who attend sporting activities there.
Lawyer Joyce Opoku Boateng, the deputy CEO at the Middle Belt Development Authority, from whose effort’s an amount of Gh¢1.9 million has been approved by the public procurement authority for construction works to begin on the first phase of the project indicated to journalist that, the Nkawkaw sports stadium is one of the heartbeats of the people of Kwahu because it is the home ground of the only professional football team, thus Okwahu United football club and therefore its reconstruction is long overdue.
According to her, the said amount was approved in February this year, with the contract awarded to Faradel construction limited and Scole consults as consultants to the project.
Lawyer Joyce Opoku Boateng further stated that, recent complains of snakebites on little children who attend the stadium for sporting activities and the fact that the reconstruction of the facility will boost economic activities for the people of Kwahu are all part of the reasons why she will leave no stone unturned to make the project come alive sooner than later.
*”This particular Nkawkaw stadium project belongs to Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, Okwahuhene and his people and therefore no individual can stall the redevelopment project, not even myself. I am only here to see for myself what the concerned youth, some Players of our team and community members have done by voluntarily renting a bulldozer to clear the weeds and prepare the way for construction works to begin and I must say that, I commend them for the efforts”*. She said.
The Member of Parliament aspirant for Nkawkaw however used the opportunity to reiterate her readiness to serve Nkawkaw with boldness, consistency and selflessness to ensure the development of the area.