Some traders plying their trade around the Baba Yara Stadium, in Kumasi, have expressed delight at the reopening of the facility, saying it will boost their businesses.
The stadium was closed down for over a year for renovation works.
The traders are elated about the commercial prospects the Stadium would be presenting, especially for those whose source of livelihood was curtailed, following the closure of the 40,000 seating capacity edifice.
Activities at the Stadium, Ghana’s biggest sporting facility, were barred temporarily in the early part of last year, as the National Sports Authority (NSA) announced plans to give the facility a facelift.
This, according to the authorities, aimed at putting the edifice in good shape to host sporting events, including the 2021/2022 Ghana Premier League (GPL).
After one-and-a-half years of painstaking work, the NSA has now given the nod for the usage of the facility, a development that has generated much interest amongst many traders in the metropolis.
“I am happy to be back in business, because the last year has not been rosy for me,” Madame Elizabeth Owusuaa, one of the traders selling paraphernalia at the Stadium, told the GNA Sports, in an interview.
On her expectations after reopening of the refurbished Stadium, which is home to two-time African Champions, Asante Kotoko S/C, as well as King Faisal Babies F/C, the trader was upbeat about improving her livelihood through the selling of her merchandise.
Mr. Benjamin Sefah, a food vendor, also expressed optimism about expanding his business “now that the Stadium is back to life.”
According to him, he makes not less than GH₵500.00 as daily sales since the refurbished Stadium was officially opened to the public in October, this year.
Other traders, speaking to the GNA Sports, were also happy at the turn of events, saying they were anticipating increased sales in the coming days when the ongoing GPL gathers momentum.
