Sports
“Most of these things… after a year they are torn. There are holes in them. They are flying all over the area.” Replacing damaged turf, he noted, is expensive, leaving many communities stuck with unsafe and deteriorating playing surfaces.
When ace sports journalist, Godfred Akoto Boafo was asked what should be done about Ghana’s growing number of deteriorating artificial pitches, he did not hesitate.
“Rip them apart.”
The blunt response came during his conversation with Kafui Dey as he criticized what he described as the country’s obsession with installing poor-quality astroturfs instead of investing in sustainable community football facilities.
According to him, many of the pitches begin falling apart within a year.
“Most of these things… after a year they are torn. There are holes in them. They are flying all over the area.”
Replacing damaged turf, he noted, is expensive, leaving many communities stuck with unsafe and deteriorating playing surfaces.
Instead of pursuing what he considers substandard projects, Akoto Boafo believes Ghana should redirect investment toward more natural playing grounds.
“We could have invested that money in more grass pitches in the community.”
He also defended an option that many overlook.
“I am not against sandy pitches,” he said.
While sand may not be fashionable, he argued that it has served generations of footballers well.
“It is what works for us.”
Beyond affordability, he believes sandy surfaces absorb impact better and provide safer landings for young players during falls.
“We’ve always honed technique there,” he said.
Akoto Boafo stressed that advocating for sand is not a rejection of modern football infrastructure but an acceptance of practical realities.
He welcomed indications that the Sports Ministry may reconsider the country’s aggressive astroturf policy but insists accessibility must remain central to any future investment.
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