If You Can’t Develop Volta Sports, Don’t Destroy It

The Volta Regional Football Association (VRFA), has petitioned the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu to intervene and stop the proposed ‘Shatafest’ music concert from being held at the Ho Sports Stadium on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

The Association argues that staging the concert at the stadium could damage the playing field and disrupt the ongoing National Division One League, with two Volta-based clubs currently using the facility as their home venue.

In a petition signed by the VRFA Chairman, Daniel Agbogah, the Association said Home Stars FC and Nukunu FC use the Ho Sports Stadium for their home league matches.

It noted that Nukunu FC is scheduled to host a league match at the stadium on October 4, a day after the proposed concert.

According to the Association, holding the event as advertised would leave insufficient time to restore the pitch to a condition suitable for a competitive league match.

The VRFA warned that damage to the playing surface could take not less than one month to repair, potentially forcing the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to relocate the two clubs to another venue, possibly outside the region.

The Association said such a development would have serious implications for the clubs and undermine efforts to develop football talent and create career opportunities for young people in the region.

‘Abuse of Authority’

The VRFA also accused the National Sports Authority (NSA) of abusing its authority by allegedly renting out the stadium for the concert without consulting the affected clubs or the Regional Football Association.

The Association said it became concerned after noticing power-generating machines at the stadium and seeing social media publicity about the proposed concert.

It said officials at the NSA office in Ho, including the Administrator, Jennifer Kokuma, and Accountant, Michael Mensah, initially indicated that the football field had not been rented out for such an event.

The Association, however, said it later discovered billboards across Ho advertising the concert at the stadium.

The VRFA described the alleged decision to hire out the facility without seeking the technical views of the clubs and the Association as “abuse of authority, disrespect and undermining the efforts” of stakeholders investing in football development in the region.

Don’t Destroy It

The Association is therefore appealing to the Regional Minister to direct the NSA to reconsider the decision and prevent the concert from taking place on the football field during the league season.

The petition stressed that sports development is a core mandate of the National Sports Authority, arguing that activities at the stadium should not undermine ongoing efforts to develop sports in the region.

“If they cannot help us achieve their core mandate, which is the development of sports, they should not destroy the little we are building to lift the image of our dear region,” the petition stated.

Copies of the petition, sighted by The Archives were sent to the Director of the National Sports Authority in Accra, the Regional Director of the NSA in Ho, Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, the Chairman of the Volta Caucus in Parliament, and the chairmen of Home Stars FC and Nukunu FC.