John Mahama criticizes government over CAF's rejection of Baba Yara stadium

Former President John Dramani Mahama has criticized the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo following the announcement by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has deemed the Baba Yara Stadium unfit for international matches.

The Kumasi-based stadium has served as the primary venue for Black Stars' home games, as other stadiums in the country have been in substandard condition.

However, after Ghana’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Angola, CAF revoked the stadium's certification, citing poor conditions.

Many Ghanaian football fans have supported CAF's decision, acknowledging that the Baba Yara Stadium was not in a suitable state to host such high-profile matches.

The rejection has led to widespread discussions, including a call from President Akufo-Addo for the removal of Dodzie Numekevor, the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), who has come under fire for his role in the situation.

Joining the debate, Mahama, the 2024 presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), expressed disappointment in the government's handling of the country's sports infrastructure.

He called the situation a national embarrassment, particularly for a football-loving nation like Ghana.

“This is the first time in history that CAF is saying Ghana does not have an approved stadium to host a Category Three match,” Mahama stated.

“With all this, they still want us to applaud them for a job well done, despite spending over 85 million Ghana cedis on stadium rehabilitation projects—funds that have been poorly managed and misused.”

As a result of CAF's decision, the Black Stars are now forced to seek a neutral venue in Nigeria or Côte d'Ivoire for their upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifier against Sudan in October.

Mahama's remarks reflect growing frustration among Ghanaians over the state of the country's sports facilities and the broader issue of governance surrounding public infrastructure.