Mrs. Dakoa Newman, Member of Parliament (MP) for the Okai Kwei South Constituency has cut sod for the construction of an ultramodern Astroturf for the Kaneshie community in the Accra Metropolitan District.
The Astroturf sited at the Kaneshie Awudome Cluster of Schools is being constructed under government’s much touted 1 Constituency 1 Astroturf Agenda. It comes with ancillary facilities such as an 11 a side football pitch, flood lights and fencing and is intended to give a new face to sporting activities in the community, and at the same time improve upon the economic well-being of the people.
The project is awarded to Wembley Sports Construction Limited, the company behind the construction of some 56 Astroturfs in the country. Financed by the Ghana National Gas Company Limited (Ghana Gas), the project is scheduled to be completed in 6 months from today.
Speaking at a brief sod cutting ceremony held at the premises of the Awudome Cluster of Schools on Wednesday Mrs. Newman said sports particularly football, played a vital role in youth development, and expressed optimism that the construction of the AstroTurf, will enhance the development of football talents in the constituency and the country as a whole.
“The reason why I sited this Astroturf in this school is for me, I believe education goes hand in hand with sports. We cannot say we want to develop our youths and sports industry without looking at education and we cannot say we want to develop the country and education without looking at sports. It always has to be a well-rounded thing and with this school being one of the best if not the best school in Okaikwei South, I think siting the Astroturf here will encourage who come and play here all the time to also find a way of getting into school,” she said.
Present at the ceremony was the Kaneshie Mantse, Nii Ayittey I, the Education Director for the Okai kwei Sub-metro, Stephen Akpabu, Representatives from Ghana Gas led by Madam Joyce Oduro, Leading Constituency Executives and Religious Heads of the Okai kwei Constituency.
On his part, Mr. Akpabu lauded the MP for putting the needs of her constituents first emphasizing that the construction of the sports facility will help enhance the God-given talent of the youth in the constituency.