By Erica Apeatua Addo
Ahwetieso (W/R), Sept. 21, GNA – The Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly (TNMA) has taken over the management of the Tarkwa and Abosso (TNA) stadium from the National Sports Authority (NSA).
The Assembly has therefore constituted an interim management committee to oversee the day-to-day management of the facility, from September 19 to October 31, 2024.
The five-member committee are; Mr James Essilfie, chairman, Mrs Amanda Pokua Adjei, Madam Rosaline Amoo, Mr James Bawa and Mr Ebenezer Aidoo are all members.
Per the outlined terms of reference, the committee shall report to the Assembly every Monday of the week within the stipulated duration, they shall not rent, sublet, or assign any aspect of the stadium to any person or institution without prior approval from the Assembly, among others.
Addressing a press in Ahwetieso, Mr Benjamin Kessie, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Tarkwa Nsuaem, stated that NSA has mismanaged public stadia across the country and the assembly cannot wait to see the huge investment of their Foundation money go waste under them.
He revealed that “The NSA even upon one month management (from commissioning date; 16th August to 16th September 2024) has been a disaster. Washroom and critical facilities of the stadium are not functioning
TNA is a community Park reconstructed by Gold Fields Ghana Limited with our Foundation money. Gold Fields Foundation has established a trust fund for the development of catchment communities. The stadium is one of such projects for the good people of Tarkwa Nsuaem.”
“The sports Act, 2016 (Act 934) does not give exclusive right to NSA to manage every sports facility. Section 23, 24 and 25 of (Act 934) clearly provide the direct involvement of the District Assembly in the management of Public Funded Sports Facilities.
Even though TNA is not a public funded sports facility, should the reverse be the case, the Act (Act 934) provides for direct involvement of the District Assembly (TNMA) in the management of such facilities” Mr Kessie explained
The MCE said to ensure efficient and sustainable management of the facility the Assembly has consulted broadly and put together a comprehensive sustainable management plan would be rolled out and operationalized soon.
He reiterated that “to save the stadium from the yawning mismanagement jaws of the NSA, the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly is taking over the management of the facility with immediate effect.”
GNA