Land security concerns delay GFA’s Ghanaman Soccer Centre legacy project – Winnifred Mawudeku

The Director of the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence (GSCE), Winnifred Mawudeku, says security concerns over the facility’s land have delayed the construction of planned legacy projects.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced plans a year ago to build a 40-bed accommodation facility at the centre to serve as a dedicated residential and training base for Ghana’s national football teams.

The project, which will be funded with proceeds from Ghana’s participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, is designed to accommodate teams ranging from the under-17 sides to the senior men’s Black Stars and women’s Black Queens.

Winifred Mawudeku

Speaking to Sporty FM, Mawudeku explained that construction had to be delayed to allow the land to be secured and fenced against possible interference from land guards.

“The legacy project has been delayed a bit because we needed to secure the land at Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence and fence it so that we don’t have land guards coming to worry us when the project is going on,” she said.

“So we had to pause the project to do the fencing for the project to continue safely.”

Mawudeku added that the wider development plans include a four- or five-star hotel at the centre, which will provide accommodation for the senior national team.

“Funding for the legacy projects was given to us after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. So it’ll be built here at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence. It’ll be a four- or five-star hotel for the Black Stars to use,” she added.

The proposed development is intended to strengthen the centre’s role as a base for Ghana’s national teams, providing accommodation and facilities to support their training and preparation for international competitions.