Neglected stadium sparks outcry in Axim: Youth give President Akufo-Addo two weeks to act

Youth in Axim, located in the Nzema-East Municipality of the Western Region, have given the President a two-week ultimatum to permit the use of a 95% completed stadium that has been left to deteriorate.

The promised stadium has been locked and unused for years, with its facilities, including VVIP areas and goalposts, falling into disrepair.

Speaking to Channel One News during a demonstration, Jonas Kwabutey, leader of the Axim Youth, expressed frustration over the lack of a playing area. He highlighted the neglect of the stadium, noting that new seats and ceilings are rotting due to the abandonment. The youth have given the President until July 29 to address the issue or face their wrath.

Mr Kwabutey revealed that a petition was submitted two months ago but was ignored by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Eric Essien.

“They promised to construct a multipurpose sports stadium for us. As I’m talking now, if you enter the stadium, you can see that all the things are rotting. They have done the VVIP, they’ve mounted the goalpost, all the necessary facilities, they’ve done it but they’ve locked it and everything is rotting, so we are poised to demonstrate,” he stated.

He added, “we submitted our petition, which was two months ago, and the MCE didn’t call us, and he didn’t even show up. We wrote a request for a police escort, but they didn’t even mind us. The reason why we are here today is we are sending a signal to the government that the stadium, whether commissioned or not commissioned, must be used. And we have given up to 29 July, that’s the ultimatum.”

In response, MCE Eric Essien expressed sadness over the stadium’s condition but mentioned that he has contacted the Regional Minister to ensure the contractor, who abandoned the site due to non-payment, returns by August.