Minister of Sports, Isaac Asiamah has revealed that Government of Ghana will spend over US$3 million to complete the first phase of the renovation of the Essipong sports stadium.
The Essipong stadium has been deplorable state since it hasn't had renovations since its completion for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.
This will be the first time the stadium will be undergoing renovations since it was built.
Hon. Asiamah disclosed this as he led a team to inspect the current condition of the facility, before works officially commence.
The renovation exercise forms part of a national agenda to rehabilitate all the country’s sports stadium.
The Accra sports stadium and the Babayara stadium have had its share of the renovation exercise.
The initial phase starts immediately with works to be carried out comprising;
Removal and Replacement of existing defect roofing sheets
Replacement of damaged roof structural steel frame members and bolts.
Corrosion Protection works involving sand blasting to remove built up rust and subsequently applying heavy duty coating system to guard against corrosion to metals structure from the Mid-West Stand to South Stand.
Water Proof treatment applied to leaking areas
Repair of Lift, Fire-Fighting System and Air condition Units
General Renovation of Offices
Plumbing works involving replacement of existing defective sanitary appliances
The minister disclosed that a total of US$3,086,206 (17,969,447 Ghana cedis) will be spent on the project which is expected to run for twelve months.
Hon. Asiamah expressed his worry about the deplorable state of the stadium and stressed that the maintenance culture should be improved.
"After Essipong is brought back to life, the ministry will ensure religious maintenance culture, we will provide maintenance manuals for all the stadia that we are renovating." he told the media.
"There is going to be a strict adherence to maintenance culture here,"
The project is being supervised by the Architectural and Engineering Services (AESL) Ltd with CISDAN Ltd serving as the contractors.