Accra to Host 2026 AFCON: Stadium Upgrades Begin — But Can We Fix the Streets Too?
A few days ago, I was stuck in traffic on the Spintex Road (again), watching rainwater pour into open gutters like someone had just turned on a tap from the sky. As I sat there, engine idling, a headline flashed across my phone screen: “Accra to Host 2026 AFCON: Stadium Upgrades Begin.” I blinked, looked outside at the half-submerged pavement, and thought, That’s great… but can fans even get to the stadium without a canoe?
Don’t get me wrong—I love football. I’ve shouted myself hoarse over Black Stars matches more times than I can count. Hosting AFCON is a big deal. It brings pride, tourism, investment, excitement. The idea of hearing the national anthem blast through a freshly refurbished Accra Sports Stadium gives me chills.
But here’s the thing. While the stadium might shine on camera, parts of the city—especially after heavy rains—still look like scenes from a disaster movie. Roads cracking, gutters overflowing, communities submerged. It’s like two realities battling for control: Football glory vs. basic infrastructure failure.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I should be excited or just cautiously hopeful. We’ve seen it before—major events come with last-minute upgrades, quick paint jobs, and temporary fixes. You know, the kind of “beautification” that only lasts as long as the media crews are in town. After that? It’s business as usual. Back to potholes, power cuts, and prayer sessions anytime it drizzles.
In my experience (and I might be wrong, but this is how it feels), we love showing off the best version of Accra when the world is watching. But what about the people who live here every single day? Shouldn’t the same urgency used to polish stadiums also apply to fixing drains, roads, and broken lights?
I’m not saying don’t upgrade the stadiums. Please do. Let them sparkle. Let the turf be so green it blinds our opponents. But let’s also remember the fans who’ll need a safe, dry place to walk, drive, and live in after the match ends.
Imagine a tournament where visitors leave saying, “Wow, not just the stadium—the city itself was amazing.” That’s the kind of legacy we should be chasing.
So here’s the thought that’s been bugging me: Can we use the same energy we’re pouring into AFCON preparations to fix the real, long-standing issues that flood every rainy season? Or are we just building for the cameras, again?
Something worth reflecting on… while we still have time before 2026.
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