Ghanaian businesses are set to miss out on business opportunities following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to ban the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi from hosting international matches. The ban, imposed due to the poor condition of the stadium, highlights the country’s deteriorating sports infrastructure and leaves Ghana without a venue to host upcoming international fixtures.
International football matches generate substantial business opportunities for various sectors. These include domestic air travel for teams and officials, land transport services for fans, hotel accommodations, catering, and professional services such as legal, medical, translation, and security. Local businesses also benefit from recreational activities and other economic ventures that thrive on match days. A large portion of the income generated from these activities stays within the country, supporting livelihoods and contributing to the local economy.
With the CAF ban in place, Ghana will lose these crucial revenue streams at a time when the nation is grappling with high living costs and economic challenges. CAF has instructed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to find a suitable venue outside the country for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers. As a result, the financial benefits from these matches will flow to another nation, further compounding Ghana’s economic woes.
The ban has been attributed to Ghana’s poor maintenance culture and lack of investment in sports infrastructure. Despite being a leading football nation in Africa, the country has failed to keep its stadiums up to the standards required by CAF. This latest setback comes at a time when the Black Stars, Ghana’s senior national team, are struggling, having drawn and lost their last two matches against lower-ranked teams. The ban, coupled with the team’s poor performance, is expected to diminish interest in Black Stars merchandise, further affecting businesses that depend on sales of football-related products.
CAF’s decision follows multiple technical infractions observed during Ghana’s AFCON qualifying match against Angola on September 5, 2024. The primary concern was the poor condition of the Baba Yara Stadium pitch, which exhibited uneven surfaces, inadequate drainage, and sparse grass cover. These issues prevent the stadium from meeting CAF’s Category 3 international match standards.
This is not the first time CAF has raised concerns about the state of Ghanaian stadiums. Previous warnings were issued about the Baba Yara, Cape Coast, and Accra Sports Stadiums. However, the lack of action to address these concerns has now led to a costly ban, leaving Ghana’s businesses and sports fans to bear the consequences.
