Isaac Adongo is the MP for Bolgatanga
Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga, Isaac Adongo, has delivered a scathing critique of Ghana’s sports infrastructure, highlighting the glaring inadequacies in stadium facilities and safety protocols.
His comments came during a parliamentary discussion on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, following concerns over safety at Ghana’s football venues.
The discussion was prompted by the tragic death of football fan Francis Frimpong, popularly known as Pooley, during a Ghana Premier League match between Nsoatreman and Asante Kotoko on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
Speaking in Parliament, Adongo dismissed claims that the country’s stadiums meet proper standards, instead referring to them as mere parks.
He urged the Club Licensing Board and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to enforce stricter regulations regarding stadium licensing.
“What we play football on are just parks; they don’t qualify to be called football stadiums. We must take stadium licensing seriously. When we do, places like Nsoatre will not be considered a stadium,” he stated.
Addressing the circumstances that led to Pooley’s death, Adongo emphasized how deeply football resonates with Ghanaians and called for an end to the persistent violence in the sport.
“Football is Ghana’s passion, but incidents like this happen far too often. There have been numerous cases where fans believe they can take the law into their own hands when they disagree. This must stop,” he added.
Pooley was fatally stabbed during Kotoko’s clash against Nsoatreman on Sunday, February 2, 2025. The incident occurred after an on-field altercation between players escalated into the stands, resulting in the tragic attack.
In response, the Ghana Police Service arrested at least six suspects, including the owner of Nsoatreman, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, as investigations continue.
In a significant development, Asante Kotoko’s lawyer, Sarfo Duku, revealed that the Ghana Police Service has identified a man named Braimah as the individual who fatally stabbed Pooley.
However, he remains at large.
FKA/MA
