Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has assured that the Baba Yara Stadium will be prepared in time for the opening fixture of the 2026/27 Ghanaian domestic football season.
The announcement followed an inspection of the facility by the NSA chief, alongside NSA Board Chairman Dr. Fred Awaah and NSA Estate Manager Mr. Ebo. The 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season is scheduled to kick off from September 4–7, 2026.
During the visit, the NSA head evaluated the progress of the pitch’s recovery and examined the condition of the stadium’s floodlights and scoreboard. He commended the Ashanti Regional Directorate for its work in restoring the venue to operational standards.
Addressing reporters, Yaw Ampofo voiced optimism regarding the facility’s readiness ahead of the upcoming campaign.
“The pitch is responding to treatment and the rehabilitation is on course. I believe in a few weeks it should be in good, stead, strong enough, robust to host football matches including the Ghana Premier League and any other international match in the need arises,” he said.
The NSA recently faced public criticism after footage circulated showing groundskeepers utilizing hoes on the pitch rather than modern turf care equipment.
Defending the regional outfit’s approach, Yaw Ampofo noted, “We don’t have the tools that are common, we will acquire them soon but I commend them [Ashanti Regional Directorate] for tackling the weeds from its source.”
“In the past when the sprinklers were not working, they resorted to the Fire Service and other means to ensure the grass doesn’t die. Perhaps people didn’t understand the images but now they do”.
Amid speculation over whether the Black Stars will use the Kumasi venue for their 2027 AFCON qualifiers starting in September, the NSA head clarified that any decision to host the national team rests with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ghana Football Association, in consultation with venue engineers.
Meanwhile, over 3,000 damaged seats—destroyed during school sports events in January—remain to be fixed. The NSA Director General confirmed that the Ghana Education Service has committed to covering the costs of the seat repair project.