The Upper East Region will not be among the three regions receiving new stadiums under the 2026 budget, though it may be included in future allocations, a ruling party official said.
Jonathan Abdallah Salifu, Regional Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress, said the sports minister indicated Upper East is likely to be considered for the 2027 budget.
“Upper East doesn’t stand to benefit” from the 2026 stadium allocations, Mr. Abdallah Salifu said in an interview about the budget presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on Thursday. “We wish we were a part of the first three, but since we’ll be getting another three for 2027, we pray and hope that we’ll be captured for that one.”
President John Dramani Mahama has promised to build stadiums in the remaining eight regions without facilities—the six new regions created in recent years plus two older regions, Mr. Abdallah Salifu said.
The government plans to construct three stadiums annually to fulfill the commitment, he said.
“I have done my checks, especially with the minister in charge of sports, and he said there are many stadiums, and Upper East likely will be captured for this next year,” Salifu said, referring to the 2027 budget to be presented in 2026.
The 2026 budget did not specify which three regions would receive the stadium projects.
Despite Upper East being excluded from the initial phase, Salifu described the overall budget as positive for the region and the country.
“I think that the budget is good,” he said.
The government has emphasized infrastructure development in the 2026 budget, with officials announcing projects including a new airport for the Upper East Region and increased funding for district assemblies.
Source: a1radionline.com|101.1Mhz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Bolgatanga
