The National Sports Authority (NSA) says the Democracy Cup final in Kumasi has provided important positives despite concerns over the condition of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium pitch.
Asante Kotoko beat Hearts of Oak 4-1 on penalties after a goalless draw on Friday, with thousands of supporters turning out for the highly anticipated fixture.
The condition of the playing surface attracted criticism, but the NSA says it has taken note of the concerns and remains confident the pitch will be ready for the start of the Ghana Premier League season.
The Authority says its original target was to have the Baba Yara turf fully matured ahead of Asante Kotoko’s opening home league fixture against Heart of Lions on Sunday, 13 September 2026.
However, the late decision to move the Democracy Cup final from the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon to Kumasi left the NSA with just over three weeks to prepare the pitch for competitive action.
“Without making any excuses, the original target was for the Kumasi turf to be mature in time for the opening home match,” the NSA said.
“The pitch will be 100% ready to host Kotoko versus Heart of Lions and all other subsequent matches in the GPL.”
Signs of renewed interest
Beyond the condition of the turf, the NSA believes the Democracy Cup final demonstrated that the passion surrounding Ghanaian football remains strong.
The match attracted an energetic atmosphere, with supporters of both Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak creating a vibrant setting inside the stadium.
The Authority believes the strong turnout and passionate support provide encouragement as stakeholders work to address declining attendances at Ghana Premier League matches in recent years.
“The spirit of the two teams is still very much alive,” the NSA said, pointing to the high energy of the players and the vocal support from supporters in the stands.
The Authority also said it would continue engaging football and sports stakeholders to identify practical solutions to the challenges affecting attendances and the wider football ecosystem.
NSA welcomes constructive criticism
The NSA has also welcomed criticism of the stadium and its facilities, saying informed and solution-oriented discussions remain important to the development of Ghanaian sport.
It stressed that the reconstruction of the country’s sports ecosystem would require a sustained and systematic approach rather than isolated interventions.
The Ghana sports ecosystem continues to evolve; football, as one key component, was not built in a day and its reconstruction continues to be a systematic process rather than just a series of events,” the Authority said.
The NSA added that it remained determined to confront the challenges facing Ghanaian sport and change the narrative surrounding its development.
“Impossible has never and will never be on the table as an option,” it said.
“The challenges we all see today are being confronted and dealt with in order to change the narrative from hopeless to hopeful.”
With the new Ghana Premier League season approaching, the NSA says its immediate priority is to ensure the Baba Yara Sports Stadium pitch reaches the required standard for Kotoko’s home fixtures.
The Authority believes continued collaboration among the NSA, the Ghana Football Association, clubs, supporters and other stakeholders can help improve both matchday experiences and the broader development of Ghana football.
“With your support, we will surely turn things around,” the NSA said.