President Mahama to Launch Sunyani Stadium Project as CAF Urges Speed on AFCON 2027 Infrastructure

President John Mahama is set to advance Ghana's sports infrastructure agenda by performing the groundbreaking ceremony for a new multi-purpose sports stadium in the Bono Region in October 2026. The project, confirmed by the National Sports Authority (NSA), marks a significant step in the administration's commitment to decentralizing high-quality athletic facilities across the country. This initiative aligns with the government's broader strategy to enhance national pride through sports and provide modern platforms for youth talent development.

According to Senior Kwame Kusi, the Bono Regional Public Relations Officer for the NSA, a 35-acre site has been secured at Old Abesim in Sunyani for the construction. The facility is designed to meet rigorous FIFA standards with a projected seating capacity of 40,000, intended to accommodate a wide array of sporting disciplines. While the new stadium is expected to be completed and fully operational by 2029, the government also plans to enhance the existing Sunyani Coronation Park to bolster local sports development and serve the community during the construction period.

While Ghana focuses on long-term domestic infrastructure, the broader African sports landscape is facing immediate pressure to meet international standards. Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has issued a firm directive to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) co-hosts—Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—to expedite their preparations. With the tournament scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027, Motsepe emphasized that postponement is not an option, marking a return of the tournament to East Africa for the first time in over half a century.

Motsepe highlighted the necessity for all host stadiums to be operational by January of the tournament year to allow for essential testing and improvements. Significant concerns remain regarding the pace of work at Kenya’s Kasarani Stadium, which is critical for both AFCON and upcoming international athletics events. Much like Ghana’s Sunyani project, these developments are viewed as essential economic drivers and legacy projects, underscoring a continent-wide push to modernize sports facilities to host elite regional competitions and stimulate local economies.