… As Roads Deteriorate, Gov’t Policies Untrumpeted
A public disagreement between the first-time Member of Parliament (MP) for the Hohoe Constituency in the Volta Region, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, and his predecessor, John Peter Amewu, over the ownership of the Hohoe Sports Stadium has sparked intense debate within the municipality.
The controversy, which is steadily gaining attention, has sharply divided opinion among residents and political supporters. Many worry that the dispute is diverting attention from more pressing development challenges, particularly the deteriorating condition of some major link roads in the area.
Mr. Tsekpo, who was elected in the 2024 general elections and is widely viewed especially among the youth as a symbol of renewed hope for development, is facing criticism from sections of the public who believe the stadium issue is distracting him from key campaign promises, including job creation.
Residents have also expressed concern that football, traditionally a unifying force, is instead becoming a source of division within the constituency.
More worrying to some residents is the perception that the controversy is overshadowing ongoing government projects and policies aimed at driving investment in the municipality, many of which they say have not been adequately communicated to the public.
MP Rejects Ownership Claims
Speaking at a “Meet the Press” session on January 7, 2026, to mark his first year in office, Mr. Tsekpo firmly rejected claims that the stadium belongs to his predecessor.
“We will not sit down for anybody to claim what belongs to the government. The Hohoe Sports Stadium is government property. It is not the property of an individual. Nobody can come and claim ownership because his brother used personal money to buy the land—no,” he stated.
The MP said investigations conducted by his office had traced the origins of the project, including government-issued cheques at various stages of construction, approvals signed by successive Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs), and the extent of work completed under government supervision.
“If someone comes to continue a project to a certain stage, that person does not automatically become the owner. If we allow this, tomorrow someone can claim ownership of the Municipal Assembly building or even the regional hospital simply because they were around when it was built. That must stop,” he added.
Public Reaction Mixed
Although Mr. Tsekpo’s performance after one year in office has generally received positive reviews, some residents believe the stadium dispute is unnecessary and risks denting his public image while deepening political divisions in the constituency.
As expected, supporters of the two main political parties have taken entrenched positions, heightening political tension in Hohoe.
Amewu’s Claims
The controversy follows comments made earlier in 2025 by Mr. Amewu, the immediate past MP for Hohoe and former Minister for Energy, after losing the seat in the 2024 general elections.
In an interview on his Hohoe-based VOV Radio, Mr. Amewu claimed the stadium was not constructed by the government but through the support of private individuals.
According to him, the construction of one stand of the stadium cost approximately US$80,000, and all four stands—amounting to over US$320,000—were financed by a single individual.
He said his ability to mobilise such resources was due to both his political and non-political networks.
Mr. Amewu further disclosed that the land on which the stadium is located was purchased by his brother, Mr. Thomas Amewu, from the rightful landowners, a fact he claimed many residents were unaware of.
He also questioned why such a facility would have been built in Hohoe if it were purely a government project, arguing that areas such as Kumasi, traditionally considered a stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), would have been prioritised.
Additionally, he stated that the AstroTurf installed at the stadium is unique and not found anywhere else in Ghana.
