A $200,000 artificial pitch in Effiakuma, within the Effiakuma Constituency, has been inundated with water following prolonged rainfall in Takoradi.
A video showcasing the flooded facility has gone viral on social media, capturing residents – predominantly children and teenagers – swimming in the pitch-turned-pool while others engage in football matches.
The video was initially shared on Facebook by David Tetteh Botchway, a retired footballer who currently teaches college football at Adiembra Secondary School in Sekondi.
The construction of the Effiakuma AstroTurf commenced in 2018, when Ghana Gas broke ground for the project. At the time, Joseph Cudjoe, the then-Member of Parliament for the Effia Constituency, emphasized the importance of recreational facilities in fostering football talent.
He stated, “These parks will serve as a catalyst for developing the national teams we aspire to have.”
The facility was completed and officially opened to the public in 2020.
David Tetteh, who also serves as the academy coach at Sedan FC, expressed concerns about the facility’s drainage system.
“This isn’t the first instance of flooding,” he told Joy Sports. “Typically, after a few hours of rainfall, the surface area fills with water. Given the recent prolonged rainfall, it’s no surprise the entire pitch was submerged.”
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis experienced significant rainfall over the weekend, pushing the facility’s drainage system to its limits.
