Koforidua Youth Resource Centre, Five Others Ready for Commissioning – Sports Minister
By: Isaac Boamah Darko
The Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif (MP), has embarked on a working visit to the Koforidua Multi-purpose Youth Resource Centre ahead of the scheduled commissioning of six similar centres. Accompanied by key officials from the National Youth Authority (NYA) and the Ministry, the Minister expressed his satisfaction with the progress made in youth development and sports infrastructure.
The construction of ten Multi-purpose Youth Resource Centres was initiated in 2018, with each centre designated for a specific region. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted the progress of the projects. However, through determination and commitment, the government managed to complete six out of the ten centres in 2023. Plans are also underway to commission the remaining four by 2024.
Each facility boasts world-class amenities, including a FIFA-standard football pitch, a nine-lane athletic track, tennis, basketball, handball, and volleyball courts, a modern gymnasium, a counselling centre, an information technology hub, an entrepreneurship centre, and a contemporary restaurant. These facilities aim to empower the youth by fostering physical and intellectual growth.
During the visit, Hon Mustapha Ussif commended the pace of work being done and highlighted the significant progress in sports infrastructure development under President Akufo-Addo’s administration. Notable projects include the construction of 152 artificial turf pitches across the country and the renovation of national stadia in Cape Coast, Kumasi, Accra, and Sekondi.
The Minister emphasized President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to youth and sports development, citing various initiatives such as the Skills Towards Employability and Productivity Programme (STEP), Youth Livelihood Farms, National Youth Volunteers Programme (NYVP), Planting for Food and Jobs, and the National Entrepreneurship & Innovation Programme (NEIP), among others.
In response to the community’s passion for table tennis in Koforidua, Hon Mustapha Ussif directed that a hall be designated for the sport within the facility. This move aims to unearth talent and establish Koforidua as a hub for tennis in the country and beyond.
The Minister urged the youth to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the resource centre, emphasizing that it is not solely for sports but also for diverse skills training, including IT skills and guidance and counselling programs. He encouraged the youth to embrace discipline, hard work, and morality.
CEO of NYA, Pius Enam Hadzide, reiterated the government’s commitment to youth development, assuring the public that all ten resource centres would be completed and commissioned by next year. These resource centres, along with the artificial pitches, stadium renovations, and infrastructure for the upcoming African Games, will leave a lasting impact on the nation’s sporting landscape, nurturing future champions and providing opportunities for the youth.
The other five Youth Resource Centres earmarked for commissioning this year include the Wa Youth Resource