The Accra Sports Stadium, primary venue for international matches, may not be able to host a proposed concert by Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel w
The Accra Sports Stadium, primary venue for international matches, may not be able to host a proposed concert by Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel without a proper pitch cover, according to the National Sports Authority (NSA) Director General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.
The stadium is already undergoing partial renovation, with some sections of the seating area cordoned off, and allowing the concert without necessary precautions would likely damage the pitch.
Concerns Over Pitch Damage
Ampofo Ankrah expressed concerns that the scale and nature of Kartel’s performances require an unrestrictive setup, posing a major risk to the stadium’s playing surface without a protective cover.
“If you look at the stages they mount and the kind of setup he needs to match his energy, we can’t restrict him. But how do we give him that space when we haven’t protected our pitch?” he asked. Allowing the concert without the necessary precautions would leave the pitch badly damaged, he added.
Potential Cultural Impact
Despite the concerns, Ampofo Ankrah acknowledged Kartel’s global popularity and the potential cultural impact of the event, especially in terms of tourism and Ghana-Jamaica relations.
“It’s beyond music. It’s a whole statement – a music renaissance, Ghana’s creative appeal, and Kartel’s own redemption story as a born-again Rastafarian,” he said.
Kartel’s Concert Plans
Kartel’s management has reportedly written to the NSA expressing interest in staging a concert at the Accra Sports Stadium as part of a planned world tour in December.
The event would likely draw large crowds and generate significant revenue for the country.
NSA’s Dilemma
The NSA faces a dilemma in balancing the potential benefits of hosting the concert with the need to protect the stadium’s pitch.
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