Sports Minister.......Government to build six stadia

Six stadia will be added to the four already in existence in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Essipong

Government will begin the construction of six major stadia in six regional capitals across the country from 2010.

The policy is to ensure equity and spread of sports infrastructure across the country.

“We want to continue with the rest of the regions that don't have modern stadia. We are going to have six stadia put up and it is our intention that at the end of next year, 2010 work would have gone far, if everything we are thinking about goes on well,” Youth and Sports Minister told Myjoyonline.com in an interview on Thursday.

This means the two Upper Regions of the country, the Volta, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, and Central Regions of Ghana will benefit from the huge sports infrastructure beginning from 2010.

On how government will fund the project, he said his ministry is in talks with funding agencies who are making some interesting proposals to Ghana.

“I have one proposal which says it will be a concession. Another one is coming which says it is going to be a grant. They just want to be given the chance to do it.

“The end result is that we may have the stadium constructed with little cost to government,” he assured.

The minister also reacted to assertions that the sports ministry was deserted in the 2010 Budget that was presented on the floor of parliament by the Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor on Thursday.

No mention was made of revenue targets and expenditure for the sports ministry in the 1 hour 30 minutes abridged budget presentation by the Finance Minister, raising concerns of government's commitment and preparations for the 2010 Nations and World Cup.

But the sector minister Hon Pelpuo said: “No it is in the budget. The finance minister could not have read everything from the budget. It is a summary that he has done. But if you open the budget, I am sure about page 157 or so, you would see that all those things are mentioned and taken care of. Fans should be rest assured that whatever government will do to ensure that our passions are satisfied…we will do.”

“We are not going to leave anything undone. We will ensure there is full participation of government. We will pay up every expenditure that would ensure that the boys go in there without any hindrance,” he assured.

Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonlin