Hohoe Stadium Ownership Row: MCE Confirms Long-Standing Public Concerns Over State Funding

The Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive, Prosper Kumi, has acknowledged that public uncertainty over the ownership and financing of the town's astroturf facility is not new, with residents consistently believing the stadium belongs to the state. His comments come as the civil society organisation Corruption Watch releases findings into alleged procurement irregularities surrounding the One Constituency, One Astroturf programme, the flagship sports infrastructure initiative of the Akufo-Addo administration.

Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Mr Kumi indicated that questions about the facility's true ownership and funding sources have persisted within the Hohoe community for considerable time. He attributed this partly to the transparency of municipal assembly processes, which are conducted in the public domain and therefore visible to residents. The MCE noted that the recent Corruption Watch investigation has simply brought into sharper focus concerns that have existed at grassroots level.

"There has always been concern of who owns the stadium because assembly processes are in the public domain, so definitely people are aware of what goes on within the assembly," Mr Kumi explained. He further stated that residents hold a strong conviction that the facility is state-funded, with many believing the municipal assembly made formal commitments towards its construction even before his appointment to office.

How the Investigation Prompted Institutional Review

When Mr Kumi assumed his position as MCE, he discovered an outstanding Right to Information request from Corruption Watch seeking clarification on the stadium's ownership and financing. Rather than defer the matter, the MCE used this as an opportunity to systematically gather all available documentation held by the assembly and establish a clear record of facts.

The municipality constituted an ad hoc committee to examine the available records comprehensively. This committee subsequently prepared a report that formed the basis of the assembly's formal response to Corruption Watch. Mr Kumi emphasised that this process was essential to address the ambiguity that had characterised the project since its inception.

The MCE also acknowledged that the facility had become entangled in political discourse during electoral campaigns, with various actors using it as a talking point. He characterised some of these developments as "political gimmicks," suggesting that the stadium had transcended its role as simple sports infrastructure to become a symbol within local political competition.

Why It Matters for Ghana

The Hohoe stadium controversy reflects broader governance challenges across Ghana's local government system. The One Constituency, One Astroturf programme was promoted as a transformative initiative to improve sports facilities and youth development opportunities at the grassroots level. However, the Corruption Watch investigation's findings of alleged procurement breaches underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in how public funds are deployed for community projects.

For Ghanaians and local assemblies nationwide, this case demonstrates the necessity of clear documentation, transparent procurement processes, and public clarity on asset ownership from a project's outset. When communities remain uncertain about whether facilities are publicly or privately owned, it creates space for confusion, political manipulation, and potential misuse of resources. The Hohoe situation also highlights the value of civil society scrutiny and Right to Information mechanisms in holding institutions accountable and prompting assemblies to get their records in order.

As Ghana continues to decentralise governance and invest in local infrastructure, ensuring that residents understand how projects are financed and who ultimately owns and manages completed facilities will be critical to maintaining public trust and preventing resource leakage.