Chief Imam Sharubutu, MP Patrick Boamah and Sports Minister designate Ussif, performing the ceremonial kick-off
A new artificial turf meant to help develop community talents in football has been unveiled at Apenkwa in Okaikwei Central.
The artificial turf, which comes with floodlights and fencing, was constructed by Blag Ghana with funds from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
The construction was facilitated by the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Boamah, having seen the need to develop football talents in various communities within the constituency.
According to him, it is his hope that the artificial pitch will transform soccer in the area, adding that this is the second pitch to be constructed in the constituency for the people.
The MP appealed to the community to adhere to proper maintenance of the sports facility for it to cover the life span.
The Youth and Sports Minister-designate, Mustapha Ussif, who graced the occasion, expressed his excitement about the facility and indicated that the new Astro turf was a testimony of “what we want to do.”
He stated that the government was committed to providing sports infrastructure for the good people of the country, the Apenkwa Astro turf was among 30 artificial pitches being constructed across the country by GNPC.
“I also know that the Zongo Development Ministry has done 15 Astro turfs. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has done 10 youth resource centres – multipurpose youth resources centres,” Mr. Ussif disclosed.
He stressed that these facilities were indicative of the underscoring commitment of the Akufo-Addo administration to provide the needed sports infrastructure to “harness talents at the grassroots to be able to feed in those talents into our national teams.”
The commission was attended by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Sharubutu, and other officials from the GNPC.
By Ernest Kofi Adu