Mickey Charles Questions GFA’s Stance on Accra and Baba Yara Stadiums
Former Techiman City FC president, Charles Ntim, popularly known as Mickey Charles, has questioned the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) Club Licensing Department over its decision to deem the Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara Stadium unfit for use in the Ghana Premier League.
Speaking in an interview with Peace FM, Charles expressed his concerns about the inconsistency in stadium approvals, arguing that if these venues are not suitable for Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, the same standard should apply to the Black Stars.
“If Accra Sports Stadium and Kumasi Sports Stadium are not fit for purpose, what about the other stadia?” he asked.
He also pointed out what he sees as a double standard in allowing Dreams FC, a club owned by GFA President Kurt Okraku, to play at Tuba Park, despite its artificial turf—a surface that FIFA discourages for top-level matches.
“The question I am asking is, if Accra Sports Stadium and Kumasi Sports Stadium are not fit for purpose, where will the Black Stars play their World Cup qualifiers?” he questioned.
Charles further challenged the logic of barring Hearts of Oak from using the Accra Sports Stadium, despite the fact that FIFA and CAF have approved it for international matches.
“If FIFA and CAF have accepted Accra Sports Stadium for games, why can’t Hearts of Oak play there? That is what I don’t understand,” he emphasized.
The GFA’s decision has sparked debate within the Ghanaian football fraternity, especially as the Black Stars are set to host Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on March 21 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
