The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has officially handed over the newly refurbished Tarkwa na Abosso (TNA) Stadium, in Tarkwa in the Western Region, to the National Sports Authority (NSA).
The rehabilitation work on the T&A Stadium started in January 2020 and was completed in June this year for US$16.2 million. This investment by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has transformed the 400-seat football park into a 10,000-plus seater world-class stadium, capable of hosting international matches.
The Tarkwa TnA Stadium has been upgraded to meet modern standards, offering improved facilities for both athletes and spectators. This includes enhanced seating capacity, upgraded playing surfaces, and improved amenities such as locker rooms, lighting, and safety features.
The stadium is expected to serve as a key venue for local and national sporting events, promoting sports development in the region.
The transfer of the Studium marks a significant point in the partnership between Gold Fields Ghana and the local community, showcasing the company’s continuous commitment to contributing to the socio-economic development of the areas where it operates.
It is believed that by investing in such infrastructure, Gold Fields aims to enhance the quality of life for residents, provide opportunities for youth engagement in sports, and boost the local economy through increased sporting activities and events.
The Vice-President of External Affairs of Gold Fields Ghana, Michael Akafia said “The construction of the stadium will not only have a sporting impact, the game of football has the potential of fostering social cohesion between communities.”
“We decided on the investment after a comprehensive stakeholder consultative and engagement process with our host communities. The aim was also to provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly stadium for the people of Tarkwa and surrounding communities. It is expected to boost business activities, nurture young talent, and facilitate the development of football in Ghana, including women’s football,” he added.
Furthermore, he noted that the purpose of the stadium aligns with Gold Fields’ purpose of creating enduring value beyond mining.
The stadium was constructed in line with FIFA’s sustainable building guidelines using building materials from sustainable sources and being energy and water-efficient. The contractor, Micheletti & Co, and several subcontractors employed 924 people from Tarkwa and surrounding communities in the construction of the stadium. Hence job creation was paramount in the entire process.
The T&A Stadium is the most recent project completed by the Gold Fields Foundation, which is committed to improving social and economic conditions in stakeholder communities through programmes in infrastructure development, education, health, water & sanitation, agriculture, and enterprise development.
The Foundation, which receives funding from Gold Fields Ghana’s Tarkwa and Damang mines, has spent over US$100 million over the past two decades to ensure sustainable socio-economic development in host communities and strengthen Gold Fields’ social licence to operate.
The new stadium will be the home of Tarkwa’s Ghana Premier League team, Medeama SC, which Gold Fields has supported for several years. It will also serve as a potential venue for national and international events, thereby putting Tarkwa on the map as a key sports destination in Ghana.
