NPP pledges to upgrade Essipong, other sports stadia to international standards

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has pledged to upgrade the Essipong Sports Stadium in the Western Region, and other existing stadia to meet the highest international standards.The Essipong Sports Stadium, one of the stadia that hosted the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, has been in a deplorable state due to poor maintenance, making it unsafe for use.However, the Vice President said, as part of his overall comprehensive plans to boost sports, creative arts and tourism sectors in the country, his government would upgrade the surfaces of football pitches including those at Kumasi, Accra, Cape Coast, Tamale and Essipong to meet the highest international standards.He made the pledge when he launched the NPP's Manifesto for the 2024 general election, on the theme: 'Selfless Leadership, Bold Solution for Jobs and Businesses', in Takoradi.The Ghana News Agency looked at specific development plans for the Western Region captured in the Manifesto.On sports dev elopment for the Western Region, Dr Bawumia mentioned that his government would continue the construction of AstroTurf for every constituency to boost the development of talents and juvenile football.He said his government would through partnerships with private sector investors, develop the railway network across the country based on the Master Plan, with a strategic focus on the Western and Eastern Lines in the medium term.'The two lines, which are of high economic importance, will be prioritised for development and completion,' the NPP Flagbearer said.His government would also complete all Agenda 111 hospitals, including the one at the Ahanta West Municipality.Dr Bawumia said funding has been secured under the Korean $2 billion facility to commence the development of the Cape Coast Airport which, he added, would serve both the Central and Western Regions.Source: Ghana News Agency