The Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has inspected sporting facilities in the Western and Central Regions.
Prior to his inspection tour, the Hon Minister had earlier been invited as a Special Guest to a Durbar and Inter District Beach Soccer Gala Competition at Baku, in the Ellembelle District in Western Region, organized by the Integrated Youth Development (IYD) Project.
In the Western Region the Minister visited the Sekondi Gyandu Park and the Essipong Sports Stadium.
Speaking to the press after the inspection, Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye said his visit was an opportunity to acquaint himself with the facilities under his Ministry. The Minister said the level of deterioration of the facilities at Gyandu Park was very appalling.” I cannot believe this is the same park I used to run sports commentary from. “ He lamented.
The Hon.Minister’s impression about the Essipong Sports Stadium was no different from that of the Gyandu Park because it has also stated to show signs of deterioration; the roofs were off at some places and their metal supports rusting. He said the facility can be out sourced to facility managers to manage.
The next phase of the Hon. Minister’s visit was to the Central Region where he first called on the Regional Minister, Hon Kweku Ricketts-Hagan before inspecting the Robert Mensah Sports Stadium, the Adisadel School Park, the New Cape Coast Sports Stadium and the Winneba Sports College.
At the Robert Mensah Sports Stadium, the Hon. Minister noted that although the playing field was in good shape, the fence wall around the stadium must be painted. He further observed that cement slabs were used instead of seats. The Adisadel School Park needed to be re-developed.
At the New Cape Coast Sports Stadium, the Hon. Minister told the press that he was satisfied with work done so far but his only reservations however, were the low fence fall around the stadium and the colour of the seats which do not reflect the national colours.
At the National Sports College, the Hon. Minister and his entourage were taken round by Mr. Erasmus Adorkor, the Director after briefing the Minister on the academy.H on Nii Lantey Vanderpuye stated that the Ministry was working with the Ministry of Education to affiliate the University of Education, Winneba with the Sports College to award degrees and diplomas in Physical Education (PE), sports medicine and coaching.
Hon.Nii Lantey Vanderpuye praised the staff of the College for their hard work and said his vision is to turn the College into a centre of excellence; He also lauded the Public Private Partnership (PPP) project which has been initiated to give the facility an excellent face-lift.
The Hon. Minister was accompanied on his trip by the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Mr.Joe Kpenge, the Deputy Director of the National Sports Authority in charge of Technical, Mr.Saka Acquaye and officials of the Ministry.