The Wenchi Sports Field/Stadium has been named after the late Paramount Chief of the Wenchi Traditional Area Nana Abrefa Kwadwo Nketiah VII with a Sod Cutting for the construction of additional Spectator Stands. The Sports Facility now officially known and called “Nana Abrefa Kwadwo Nketia VII Sports Stadium” (Nana Nketia Sports Stadium)In his Address to the Chiefs and people of the area, football lovers, families of the late Nana Nketia, the then Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Hon Alexander K. Obour Damoah who made the official declaration and launched the official new name of the Stadium acknowledged the incalculable contributions of Nana Abrefa Kwadwo Nketia VII affectionately called Coach Nketia towards the development of football not only in the Municipality but Ghana and beyond, which earned him the name “Coach”. He stressed the need to honour him as one of the heroes of our time noting that a nation that does not honour her heroes is not worth dying for. The Sports Stadium Project continued by the former MCEs Dr Prince Kwakye Afriyie and Alexander Obour K. Damoah who constructed and completed Spectator Stand. Other Projects consist of VIP, Press Box, Air Conditioners, W/C Washrooms, Dressing Room, Massaging Room with Beds, Main Pitch, Mechanized Borehole with Storage Tanks, Electricity, Water Sprinkling Machines, etc.
The Member of Parliament for the Wenchi Constituency Hon Alhaji Seidu Haruna stated his resolve to promote and consolidate the gains made in the the development of grassroot sports and in all Sports disciplines. He noted the need to harness talents that God had blessed Wenchi with, given Football giants like Asamoah Gyan, Baffour Gyan, Afena Gyan, etc
A former MCE Hon Hakeeb Dauda whose leadership demarcated the land and constructed the Fence Wall to protect the land and set the pace for the construction of the Facility expressed delight for the continuation and completion of the Project.
The Paramount Chief of the Wenchi Traditional Area (Wenchimanhene) His Royal Highness Osagyefo Ampem Anye Amoampong Tabrako III welcomed the decision to name the Facility after the Sports Legend, indicating that he was motivated by this singular action and assured to promote, protect and preserve this enviable records in the Wenchi Book of Records. Wenchimanhene charged the Sports Committee chaired by Komahene Nana Okokyeredom Sarkodie Antwi II, and the Municipal Information Officer Mr Stanick Sofel Amuzu Kpodo as well as all Stakeholders to ensure the maintenance of the Stadium.
Alhaji Karim Grusah the Club owner of King Faisal Football Club who was the Special Guest of Honour for the occasion advised the Wenchimanhene to adapt Young Apostles Sporting Club in Wenchi and be its Life Patron to sustain the Team.
On behalf of the Abrefa Nketia Royal family, son of Nana Mooree Bediatuo Oheneba George Abrefa and Madam Akosua Taylor who led the initiative together with siblings expressed appreciation to Authorities for the Honour done their illustrious father. The children and family disclosed to sponsor the construction of additional Spectator Stands Facility Project to the existing one. At the time of the Grand Durbar for the naming ceremony, all was set for Project to begin.
Nana Abrefa Kwadwo Nketia VII was a native of Wenchi, born on 20th January 1931 to father Opanin Kwame Kufuor from the Aketegya family of Wenchi and mother Obaapanin Nana Adwoa Pokua from the Ahenfie Yefiri Royal Family of Wenchi. He attended Wenchi Methodist Primary School from 1937-1942, continued to Koforidua Wesley Methodist Middle School from 1943-1946, proceeded to Accra Academy from 1946-1951. He was a Sports Prefect at the Secondary School and taught Physical Education (PE) at Wenchi Methodist School. He enrolled at the Local Government Training School in Accra and worked at the Wenchi District Council now the Wenchi Municipal Assembly. He further studied in Europe at the Cologne Sports University in Germany and Praque Sports College in Czechoslovakia. In 1962, he was appointed Football Coach and Sports Administrator at the Ghana Sports Council and coached Agona Swedru All Black Football Club (All Black FC). From 1963-1969, he was transferred to Sunyani as Second Coach following the demise of Mr Asebi Boakye. Through his instrumentality, the then two Clubs in Sunyani BA Hasaacas and Standfast merged to form B/A United. A second Club B/A Stars later renamed Bafoakwa Tano Football Club emerged. Under his tutelage, players were drawn from the region into the Ghana Black Stars, amongst them were, Agyemang Gyan, Adasi Fofie, Atta Kwame, Richard Barnie Senior, Kwasi Owusu, Enock Asumadu, Dan Owusu. He also worked in the Eastern and Ashanti Regions as Principal Sports Administrator and Manager at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. He was a member of the Methodist Church Ghana where he served in various capacities and positions. In June 2006, he was enstooled the Paramount Chief (Omanhene) of the Wenchi Traditional Area under the Stool name “Nana Abrefa Kwadwo Nketia -VII where he ruled for 5 years. On 20th October 2011, he stepped down as the Omanhene following a ruling by the Supreme Court of Ghana. He died on 5th April 2014 at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Kumasi following a short illness. He was married to Madam Elizabeth Kodie from Wenchi Kenton Ababa Yefiri family and blessed with 8 Children thus 5 females and 3 males.
Source: Information Services Department (ISD)
By: Stanick Sofel Amuzu Kpodo