The Director General of Ghana’s National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has made it clear that the proposed December concert by Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel at the Accra Sports Stadium will only be approved if strict conditions are met—most notably, the provision of a proper pitch covering to safeguard the playing surface.
The Accra Sports Stadium, which stands as Ghana’s premier venue for hosting international sporting events, particularly football, is currently undergoing partial renovations aimed at upgrading sections of its infrastructure. Among the works being carried out are improvements to seating areas and structural maintenance, with portions of the stands already cordoned off. This, according to the NSA chief, puts added pressure on stadium management to ensure that the playing surface remains in pristine condition for upcoming international fixtures and league matches.
Vybz Kartel’s management, despite the artist being incarcerated in Jamaica, is reportedly in talks with event promoters and has submitted a formal letter of intent to the NSA. The request outlines plans to include Ghana as a major stop on what is being described as a global “redemption tour” in December 2025. The event is expected to draw thousands of fans from across Africa and the diaspora, further emphasizing Ghana’s role as a cultural hub and destination for global music stars.
However, Ampofo Ankrah emphasized that while the NSA is not against hosting musical events at the stadium, any concert of this magnitude must come with stringent safeguards. Speaking in an interview with Sporty FM, he highlighted the potential damage that large-scale music performances can inflict on the pitch if appropriate protective measures are not in place.
“If you look at the stages they mount and the kind of elaborate production he [Kartel] requires to match his energy and style, we can’t limit him creatively. But the question is, how do we provide that freedom and still protect the integrity of the pitch? That pitch is not just grass—it’s an asset that supports Ghana’s sporting ambitions,” Ankrah said.
He made it clear that without a professional-grade protective pitch covering, the NSA will not permit the concert to proceed at the stadium.
“Otherwise, I might as well write my resignation letter,” he said pointedly. “Hosting a concert on December 31st is not worth compromising the pitch, especially not with the kind of pressure we’re under to maintain world-class sporting facilities.”
Despite the caution, Ampofo Ankrah acknowledged the global appeal of Vybz Kartel and the potentially significant cultural and economic benefits such an event could bring. He noted that the concert could serve as a cultural bridge between Ghana and Jamaica, tapping into shared African-Caribbean heritage and promoting Ghana as a music and tourism destination.
“This is about more than music,” he said. “It’s a powerful cultural statement—a kind of music renaissance that plays into Ghana’s creative arts identity. Kartel’s story, especially as a born-again Rastafarian, is also symbolic of redemption, transformation, and cross-cultural unity. These are narratives Ghana wants to embrace and showcase.”
He further added that the NSA is open to working with event organizers, city authorities, and private sponsors to explore possibilities that align with both national interests and creative ambitions. This includes alternative venues, staging arrangements that preserve the stadium’s facilities, and collaboration with music industry stakeholders.
As preparations for the event continue behind the scenes, all eyes are now on whether Kartel’s management can meet the NSA’s requirements—particularly the crucial condition of providing the necessary infrastructure to protect one of Ghana’s most iconic sports venues.
Edited by: KENNEDY AMPONSAH NTI
EASTERN FM 105.1 MHZ
