The chairman of Ghana's National Sports Authority (NSA), Prof Fred Awaah, has described the Accra Sports Stadium as a "death trap" and warned that its deteriorating condition could pose a serious threat to spectators and athletes.

Prof Awaah said the facility would have been demolished and rebuilt if the NSA had the authority to take such action.

He made the comments after an inspection of the stadium on Wednesday involving NSA officials, members of the Ghana Sports Fund and government representatives.

Speaking to Citi Sports after the tour, Prof Awaah expressed concern about the stadium's structural condition and the potential consequences if urgent action was not taken.

"That's just a death trap. You never know when the entire place will collapse, maybe with a big population, where we will have another disaster," he said.

"Again, if we had our own way, we would have pulled down the infrastructure for a new one to be underway."

The Accra Sports Stadium has undergone a number of renovations over the years, including major work ahead of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, when it was modernised in 2007.

It was also refurbished in 2018 as Ghana prepared to host the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

However, despite those interventions, the latest inspection has raised fresh questions about the condition of one of Ghana's most important sporting venues.

The stadium remains a key venue for domestic and international football and is among the facilities approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host Category A matches.

The concerns come at a significant time for Ghanaian football, with the country preparing to host the 2027 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Black Stars are also scheduled to begin their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in September, increasing the pressure on authorities to ensure that suitable venues are available.

Prof Awaah's comments are likely to intensify calls for urgent rehabilitation of the Accra Sports Stadium, particularly given the potential risks associated with hosting large crowds at a facility whose structural integrity has been questioned. 

Authorities are expected to assess the findings of the inspection and determine the extent of work required to bring the stadium in line with safety requirements and international standards.