Gold Fields Ghana Hands Over US$16.2M Tarkwa Stadium to National Sports Authority

The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has officially handed over the newly constructed and refurbished Tarkwa & Abosso (T&A) Stadium in Tarkwa, located in the Western Region, to the National Sports Authority.

The rehabilitation of the stadium, which began in January 2020, was completed in June 2024 at a total cost of US$16.2 million. This significant investment by the Foundation has transformed the previously 400-seat football park into a world-class stadium with a seating capacity exceeding 8,000, making it capable of hosting international matches.

The newly upgraded T&A Stadium will serve as the home ground for Medeama SC, Tarkwa’s Ghana Premier League team, which has enjoyed substantial support from Gold Fields over the years and was crowned Ghana champions in 2023.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Michael Akafia, Vice-President of External Affairs at Gold Fields Ghana and current President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, highlighted the broader impact of the stadium beyond sports. "The construction of the stadium will not only have a sporting impact,” Akafia noted. “Football has the potential to foster social cohesion between communities. We decided on the investment after a comprehensive stakeholder consultative and engagement process with our host communities."

Akafia emphasized that the stadium aims to provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly venue for the people of Tarkwa and surrounding areas. The new stadium is expected to boost local business activities, nurture young football talent, and facilitate the development of football in Ghana, including women’s football. "In this, the impact of the stadium aligns with Gold Fields’ purpose of creating enduring value beyond mining," he added.

The T&A Stadium was constructed in accordance with FIFA’s sustainable building guidelines, utilizing materials from sustainable sources and designed to be energy and water-efficient. The project was carried out by Micheletti & Co, along with several subcontractors, employing 924 individuals from Tarkwa and neighboring communities.

The T&A Stadium is the latest in a series of projects completed by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, which is dedicated to improving social and economic conditions in its stakeholder communities. Through its programmes in infrastructure development, education, health, water and sanitation, agriculture, and enterprise development, the Foundation has invested over US$100 million over the past two decades to promote sustainable socio-economic development and strengthen Gold Fields’ social license to operate.