Sports
Obuasi Residents Demand Action as Youth Petition AngloGold Ashanti Over Declining Sports Infrastructure
Concerned youth, football supporters, traditional authorities, sports administrators, and residents of Obuasi have petitioned AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited over what they describe as years of neglect, abandonment and mismanagement of community sports facilities in the mining town.
The youth in the community have also highlighted the urgent need to revive the Ashanti Gold football club which has been inactive for years now.
The group is calling on the mining company to urgently rehabilitate sporting infrastructure inherited from the former Ashanti Goldfields Corporation and renew its commitment to sports development and youth empowerment in the Adansi traditional area.
In the petition addressed to AngloGold Ashanti and the general public, the stakeholders expressed concern about the deteriorating state of key sporting facilities, including the Len Clay Sports Stadium, Ofori Park, community football pitches and other youth development facilities.
According to the petitioners, Obuasi was once regarded as one of Ghana’s leading sporting communities due to significant investments made by the former Ashanti Goldfields Corporation, particularly under the leadership of former Chief Executive Officer Sir Sam Jonah.
The group says the decline of the facilities has affected youth participation in sports, with concerns including poor maintenance of playing grounds, deteriorating infrastructure, limited public access and inadequate investment in renovations and modernization.
The petition also raises concerns about the collapse of AshantiGold Sporting Club, describing the club as a major symbol of pride, unity and opportunity for thousands of young people in Obuasi.
The stakeholders say the club played a significant role in Ghana football and represented the identity of the mining community before its decline left a vacuum in the sporting life of the area.
They further expressed disappointment over the challenges facing F.C. AshantiGold Limited, a community-led initiative established by traditional leaders, football administrators and residents to revive football development in Obuasi.
The group says despite adopting the AshantiGold name as a symbol of partnership and reconciliation with the mining company, the club continues to struggle with access to suitable facilities for matches and player development.
The petitioners insist they are not seeking charity from AngloGold Ashanti but demanding responsible corporate citizenship from a company whose mining operations have benefited from the resources of the community.
They are asking the company to immediately begin a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for the Len Clay Sports Stadium, Ofori Park and other community sports facilities under its control.
They are also demanding the establishment of a transparent management framework that guarantees community access to the facilities, alongside support for grassroots football, school sports programmes and youth development initiatives.
The stakeholders want AngloGold Ashanti to engage traditional authorities, the municipal assembly, sports administrators and community representatives to determine the future management of the facilities.
They are also calling for sponsorship and strategic support for F.C. AshantiGold Limited as part of efforts to restore the sporting identity of Obuasi.
The petition comes amid growing frustration among some residents who believe sports development in Obuasi has suffered years of neglect.
However, the group has urged residents to pursue peaceful and lawful means in seeking solutions, stressing that dialogue and responsible corporate engagement remain the preferred approach.
They are appealing to AngloGold Ashanti, government agencies, sports authorities and civil society organizations to intervene and help restore what they describe as Obuasi’s lost sporting glory.
Black Stars’ Brandon Thomas-Asante Pushes for Starting Role After Match-Winning Assist Against Panama
Black Stars forward Brandon Thomas-Asante says he understands the importance roles in football, but he would want to start as many games as possible.
The Coventry City forward came off the bench to set up Caleb Yirenkyi for the Black Stars in their opening game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday evening.
Yirenkyi’s goal was the deciding moment of the game as Ghana registered their first win in seven games to pick up all three points against Panama.
Asked about his role in the game, the forward said, “I just wanted to do what I did really. I would have probably liked a goal as well but the main thing was the win.”
“My style of play I’m very fortunate that a lot of times in my career even if I’m on the bench there’s an opportunity to come and impact the game. Obviously I want to start every game but in my career you know that is not how football works.
“I’d like to start every game, but I know that’s not how football works. Today, my job was impact the game from the bench and I’m happy that I did that” – Brandon Thomas-Asante#JoySports pic.twitter.com/vWN7USs8zJ
— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) June 18, 2026
“You have to be ready for any occasion, and today my job was to try and impact it from the bench, and I’m happy that I could contribute in some way. It’s about the team performance because to go to that point at 0-0, defending solidly, having a few chances, that is what the team did before I came on, so credit to them and to Caleb for the goal.”
Following his impressive outing against Panama, Thomas-Asante will be hoping he has done enough to convince head coach Carlos Queiroz ahead of the team’s second game against England.