Mr Kobena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Member of Parliament for Takoradi Constituency in the Western Region, has dedicated a newly constructed ultramodern astroturf in the New Takoradi Lower Electoral Area, a fishing community.
The Ghana National Gas Company provided funding for the initiative as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), which include building astroturf fields across the nation.
The commissioning of the facility adds to the impressive number of ultramodern astroturf President Akufo Addo’s administration has constructed in various communities across the nation over the past six years.
It aims at fulfilling the campaign pledge made to Ghanaians to provide ultramodern sports infrastructure at the local, regional, and governmental levels.
Speaking ahead of the commissioning, Mr. Darko-Mensah announced that the purpose of the project was to promote soccer in the constituency in order to find and nurture young talent so they can play the game all the way to the National Team and international soccer.
He mentioned that the Regional Coordinating Council, under his leadership, was dedicated to building more of these facilities so that more communities could benefit.
He indicated that the widespread use of astroturf across the nation would not only rekindle interest in sports activities and help uncover more talents, but would also promote fitness.
He pointed out that the project was started with his personal funds in providing more than 200 trips of fill, bulldozer and grader works as well as making provisions for the building of a spectator stand for fans who would swarm to the area to watch the events.
Mr. Darko-Mensah, who is also the Western Regional Minister, stated that there was a need to construct more of these facilities because it was on his agenda to develop new talent in the communities to nurture fresh talents.
He stated that the astroturf has come to serve the community regardless of party affiliation and to nurture football talents in the constituency, and he urged them to continue to use the structure properly because its misuse would not be tolerated.
He urged the populace to trust the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration and him as their member of parliament (MP), adding that he was devoted and determined to finish all projects started in the villages to bring development to the constituency.
The Ghana National Gas Company’s Manager for Community Relations and CSR, Mr. Francis Augustus Badu, stated that the organization will continue to support the communities and the people of Ghana by offering services in the fields of sports, water and sanitation, health, and education.
He was enthusiastic about the facility and voiced the belief that it would significantly advance their ability to achieve their goals.
Additionally, he gave the residents of New Takoradi assurances about the company’s dedication to maintaining the facility.
Assemblyman for the Area, Mr Gilbert Afriyie was grateful to the Member of Parliament and the Ghana National Gas Company for putting up the facility in the Area which he believes will serve the interest of both the Upper and Lower Electoral Areas.
An eight-member committee was also commissioned to oversee the management of the facility while matches were played under floodlights to the admiration of the many fans who thronged there to catch a glimpse of the ceremony.
