Youth in Axim, situated in the Nzema-East Municipality of the Western Region, have taken to the streets to protest the continued closure of a 95% completed stadium that has been left to deteriorate over the years.
The stadium, promised to the community, stands locked and unused despite being near completion. Its essential facilities such as VVIP areas and goalposts are falling into disrepair. The completion of this stadium would not only provide a venue for sports and community events but also boost the local economy and promote youth development.
During a demonstration covered by Channel One News, Jonas Kwabutey, leader of the Axim Youth, expressed frustration over the stadium’s neglect. He highlighted the deterioration of newly installed seats and ceilings due to prolonged abandonment.
“We have no place to play. The stadium has been left to rot despite being nearly finished,” Kwabutey emphasized. “We submitted a petition two months ago, which was ignored by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Eric Essien.”
The youth leader, Jonas Kwabutey, issued a two-week ultimatum, expiring on July 29th, demanding immediate action from the President to unlock and utilize the stadium for the benefit of the community. This ultimatum underscores the urgency of the situation and the youth’s determination to see the stadium put to use.
“They promised us a multipurpose sports stadium, but it remains locked. We demand its immediate use,” Kwabutey stated. “If our demands are not met by the deadline, we will escalate our actions.” This statement underscores the youth’s determination and the potential consequences if their demands are not addressed.
In response, MCE Eric Essien acknowledged the stadium’s deteriorating state and expressed regret over the situation. He assured the community that efforts were underway to resolve the issue promptly.
“I have reached out to the Regional Minister to expedite the contractor’s return, who abandoned the site due to non-payment,” Essien explained. “We expect the contractor to resume work by August.”
The standoff over the stadium reflects growing frustration among Axim’s youth over unfulfilled promises and neglected community projects. This situation underscores the shared responsibility of the community to salvage the facility and fulfil long-standing commitments to the community.
Source:newsghana.com.gh