Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has inaugurated the FIFA-standard Tumu Astro-turf, constructed by the Ghana National Gas Company.
The multi-purpose sports facility, built by Blaze Investment Company within six months, will accommodate various sports and activities.
Following the commissioning, Ghana Gas, along with the Vice President and his team, met with the chiefs and residents of the Sissala East Municipality to discuss local challenges.
At a meeting in Tumu, Anyimah Edomgbole, a representative of the Ghana Gas Company, highlighted that promoting sports is a key principle of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
He announced that the Tumu sports facility is the fifth Astro-turf constructed by Ghana Gas in northern Ghana, with over 40 more either under construction or planned for commissioning across the country.
He expressed optimism that the facility will uncover football talent in both the municipality and the Upper East Region.
The gas company believes that having a sports facility in the area will encourage the youth to engage in constructive activities during their leisure time, rather than resorting to illicit activities.
According to the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia, the multi-purpose sports facility will go down memory lane as historic and would transform the youth in the area and the entire region as a whole.
“I want all of you to remember that on this historic commissioning of this FIFA-standardized Tumu Astro-turf in the Sissala East [Municipality], government will continue to provide facilities that will transform their life,” he said.
He commended the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for working very hard together with the municipality.
“Your MP has done an excellent job, he worked very hard to bring this astro-turf to Tumu in the Sissala East Municipality.
“Whatsoever, we’re seeing, today, is the work of the New Patriotic Party.
Like I always say, despite the global economic challenges, our government has done more than any other government in the Fourth Republic.
People sometimes don’t understand but I speak with data.
“No government has done roads more than us, no government has done more interchanges than us, more health facilities than us, more schools than us, more STEM schools than us, more sports facilities than us, railways and many more infrastructure.
“When we came into government, there were only three Astro-turfs in Ghana, but today we have about 150 Astro-turfs across the country and more Astro-turfs are being built in most constituencies.
“Everybody is demanding one in his constituency and very soon, it will be one astro-turf, one constituency,” he assured.
He lauded the hardworking youth of Sissala and assured them that the NPP government believes in the youth and sports is very important for the development of the youth.
Member of Parliament Amidu Chinnia Issahaku remarked that the Tumu people are fortunate to have such an impressive Astro-turf facility.
“The people are grateful, and we thank the Vice President for this project,” he said through an interpreter.
He added that the Astro-turf is equipped to host various football matches, including Premier League games and other FIFA-sanctioned events.
“Dr. Bawumia has commissioned this FFIA-standardized turf, the youth will make good use of it so as to unearth better talents in the municipality.
“I can say it with confident that the youth and people of Sissala East, come December 7 will vote massively for Dr. Bawumia and the NPP party as president and Amidu Jnr as MP.”
The community enjoyed several football matches late into the night, illuminated by floodlights.
