The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, announced that Cabinet has approved the appointment of a facility manager for the Borteyman Sports Complex. The complex, commissioned in 2024 by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, features a 1,000-capacity swimming facility and a multipurpose sports hall with seating for 1,000 spectators. The facility was built to host various sports disciplines, including basketball, badminton, and weightlifting.
The Borteyman Multipurpose Sports Facility was constructed at a cost of $145.1 million and was expected to be a major sports hub in Ghana. However, concerns have emerged over the maintenance and management of the facility, particularly given the deteriorating condition of other major sporting venues in the country, including the Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
According to Kofi Adams, the approved facility manager will be responsible for overseeing the complex and mobilising resources through a public-private partnership arrangement. This arrangement is expected to help fund the completion of some unfinished infrastructure at the facility. The Minister noted that the facility has not been properly developed as originally envisioned.
The facility manager will play a crucial role in ensuring the effective management and maintenance of the complex. Kofi Adams emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring that the facility is properly managed and maintained. The public-private partnership arrangement is expected to attract investment and support for the facility.
The Borteyman Sports Complex was commissioned ahead of the 13th African Games, and it is expected to provide a modern sports infrastructure for Ghanaian athletes. The complex features a 10-lane competition pool and an eight-lane warm-up pool, as well as a multipurpose sports hall with seating for 1,000 spectators.
Kofi Adams has expressed confidence that the appointment of a facility manager will help address concerns over the maintenance and management of the facility. The Minister has also emphasized the need for a development pathway for Ghana's sports sector, rather than just focusing on selection exercises.
The government has faced criticism over the state of sports infrastructure in Ghana, with many calling for improved facilities and better management. The approval of a facility manager for the Borteyman Sports Complex is seen as a step towards addressing these concerns and providing a modern sports hub for Ghanaian athletes.
Key points
- The Cabinet has approved a facility manager for the Borteyman Sports Complex to oversee its management and maintenance.
- The facility manager will mobilise resources through a public-private partnership arrangement to fund the completion of unfinished infrastructure.
- The Borteyman Sports Complex was constructed at a cost of $145.1 million and features a range of sports facilities, including a swimming pool and multipurpose sports hall.
