By Edem Latsu Nukafu
On Friday, December 22nd, Stonebwoy’s Bhim Concert 2023 and the grand finale of the 5th Dimension Tour were put on center stage in a symphony of lights, beats, and unlimited energy. The atmosphere was thick with excitement as enthusiasts reveled in the musical prowess of the Afro-Dancehall maestro. However, as the echoes of the night’s melodies lingered, a different tune began to play – one about the state of the stadium’s pitch.
Amidst the post-concert convo, the spotlight shifted from the pulsating rhythms to the turf beneath. Fans took to social media platforms to express their concerns about the apparent wear and tear on the Accra Sports Stadium’s pitch. Notably, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, joined the conversation with a candid message on social media.
In his statement, Sam George addressed the criticism surrounding the pitch, pointing out that expecting grass rehabilitation after a high-energy concert is not only impractical but also misplaced. He questioned the National Sports Authority’s (NSA) role in ensuring the stadium’s maintenance, particularly in light of the fees paid by event organizers.
Concerts are held every off season at Wembley, Emirates, Old… pic.twitter.com/bi6J28Pjj7
— Sam ‘Dzata’ George 🦁🇬🇭 (@samgeorgegh) December 27, 2023
“To all those talking about the pitch and all after the
@stonebwoy concert, you actually do not sound very intelligent. Did you expect him to go and do grass rehabilitation? Why did he pay the National Sports Authority?
Concerts are held every off season at Wembley, Emirates, Old Trafford and other stadia. The managers there use their brains. Same cannot be said about the DG of the NSA who lied to Parliament earlier this year.
I asked him about pitch covers which are used to protect the grass everywhere else when stadia are used for non-footballing events, and he stated under oath before the Public Accounts Committee that they have some and use them.
None was used last Friday and shows that once again, the NSA DG has lied under oath. Not his first time. If you have any anger, it should be directed at him for failing to do the work yet collecting his salary for December.
I would be waiting for him the next time he appears before the Public Accounts Committee. We must learn to stop shifting the buck and hold the right people accountable.
Bono and his U2 band don’t care about the Wembley grass after they have paid for the venue and neither should Stone, Shatta or any other Ghanaian act be held responsible for someone else’s failure.”
Drawing parallels with iconic venues like Wembley, Emirates, and Old Trafford, the MP highlighted the need for strategic planning and pitch protection during non-footballing events. Sam George accused the Director-General of the NSA of providing false information to Parliament earlier in the year, citing the absence of pitch covers during Stonebwoy’s concert as evidence.
“The NSA DG has lied under oath. If you have any anger, it should be directed at him for failing to do the work yet collecting his salary for December,” Sam George declared.
The MP underscored the importance of holding accountable those responsible for stadium maintenance, emphasizing that artists like Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale should not shoulder blame for systemic failures. He pledged to address the issue further during the NSA DG’s next appearance before the Public Accounts Committee.
In concluding his message, Sam George invoked a global perspective, asserting that international acts like Bono and his U2 band do not concern themselves with the state of the venue after payment. His call for accountability resonated with many, prompting a broader conversation about the responsibilities of venue management and the need for transparency in sports infrastructure maintenance.
As the echoes of Stonebwoy’s Bhim Concert proceed to resonate, it seems the pitch predicament has become a symphony of its own, prompting not just post-concert reflection but a call for greater accountability in the management of Ghana’s sporting arenas.
Writer’s email:edemlatsu093@gmail.com
