Kumasi, Dec.17, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Sunday inaugurated the refurbished and upgraded Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi amidst pomp and pageantry from the large crowd of people who thronged the Stadium to witness the event.

The President earlier cut the tape to inaugurate a fountain donated by Consar, contractors of the project and unveiled a commemorative plaque at the main entrance to the stadium.
In an address the President Kufuor said that government was committed to the development of sports facilities in the country and to this end, a 20,000 seating capacity stadium would be built at Cape Coast in the Central Region next year similar to the ones at Tamale and Sekondi which would be replicated in the other regions. President Kufuor commended the contractors for the additional facilities incorporated to the original contract and urged spectators to ensure they handle the facilities with care while urging the authorities to also adopt sound management practices to maintain the facilities to stand the test of time.
He stressed the need for all and sundry to demonstrate goodwill and hospitality to people who would come to Ghana for the African Cup of Nations tournament next year.
Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Education, Science and Sports said that no government in the history of the country has ever rehabilitated two stadia and constructed two additional ones. He said this shows the commitment that the government has for the development of the nation and said the stadium projects would be a great legacy for all Ghanaians and posterity, adding that with the completion of the stadium, sports development would be improved in the Regions. .. Daasebre Osei Bonsu, Paramount Chief of Asante Mampong Traditional Area who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, expressed his appreciation for the facility and asked that efforts should be made to roof part of the stadium for spectators, especially the VIP stand. Mr. Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister said the completion of the stadium was a big sigh of relief to sports enthusiasts in Kumasi and the nation as a whole. He expressed his appreciation to all those who helped in diverse ways to ensure the completion of the project and hoped all would work to ensure the success of the competition.
Mr.Stefano Ramella Pezza, Managing Director of the Consar, an Italian Company thanked the people in the Metropolis for their spirit of goodwill and cooperation stressing that the fountain the Company has donated would remain as a symbol of cooperation between Ghana and Italy. In a friendly international match between the nation's Under-17 and their Ivorian counterparts, the Ivorians won the match 2-0. Both goals came in the first half with the Young Elephants scoring through a spot taken by Trilore Adama in the 32nd minute.
The Ivorians who dominated the game made their Ghanaian counterparts chase their own shadows in most parts of the match before scoring their second goal in the 38 minute through Seri Jean Micheal. Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were the First Lady, Madam Theresa Kufuor, Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Minister of Chieftaincy and the Chief of Staff and Presidential Affairs, Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani. 17 Dec. 07