Former President John Dramani Mahama has cut sod for the construction of an ultra-modern sports complex in Bole in the Savannah Region.
The sod-cutting ceremony on Sunday, 22nd September 2024, was attended by local chiefs, elders from the Bole Traditional Area, and regional and constituency executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The sports complex in Bole will feature a 500-seater Astro-Turf, complete with dressing and changing rooms, rest areas, and washrooms for athletes. The facility will also include courts for volleyball and tennis, a swimming pool, a car park, and a basketball court.
Mr. Mahama in his remarks stressed that the project is intended to benefit the entire Savannah Region, stating, “This recreational centre is for everyone in the region—anyone can come and host activities here.”
He emphasized that the complex, funded entirely from his own resources, is different from the government’s AstroTurf projects, which, according to him, have been distributed selectively, often bypassing areas like Bole, an NDC stronghold.
Mahama criticized the government for allegedly excluding Bole from such projects despite its residents contributing taxes like any other region.
He expressed his commitment to ensuring the facility meets the highest standards, urging the contractor to deliver quality work.
Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency, echoed these sentiments, stating that the people of Bole had long been requesting a suitable sports pitch.
He accused the government of nepotism in the allocation of AstroTurfs, revealing that his applications to agencies like the Zongo Development Fund and GNPC for such a project were denied.
The MP called on constituents to support Mahama and the NDC, believing that their leadership would bring more development to the area and Ghana as a whole.
Land Wind Company Ltd, the contractors for the project, affirmed their commitment to completing the facility before the 2024 general elections, ensuring that all auxiliary facilities, as outlined by Mahama, will be included in the final construction.