The National Sports Authority (NSA) is targeting the renovation of all five major stadia in Ghana by the end of 2027 as efforts intensify to address the country's shortage of venues that meet international football standards.

Acting NSA Director-General Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong says the authority is working towards rehabilitating the country's major sporting facilities to ensure Ghana has enough approved venues to host international matches.

Ghana has struggled in recent years to secure stadiums that meet the requirements of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, leaving the country heavily reliant on a limited number of facilities for international fixtures.

The Accra Sports Stadium remains the only venue with conditional approval to host matches. The facility last hosted a Black Stars game in September, when Ghana suffered a 4-2 defeat to The Gambia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Speaking on Asempa FM, Professor Osei Sarpong outlined the NSA's renovation plans, revealing that work would be carried out in phases, beginning with the Essipong and Accra stadia before moving to Kumasi, Tamale and Cape Coast.

He identified the Essipong Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium as immediate priorities, with the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Stadium also scheduled for rehabilitation.

"We are hoping to complete Essipong and Accra stadia, then we go and tackle Kumasi [Baba Yara Sports Stadium], then we proceed to Tamale [Aliu Mahama Stadium], then we think of Cape Coast. The stadium was neglected just like Essipong," he said.

"We are gradually fixing the stadia. In the next one year or so, we will not be having problems with venues for our matches," he added.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is pushing for the Essipong Stadium to host the Black Stars' upcoming double-header against Somalia in the Matchday 3 and 4 fixtures of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Professor Osei Sarpong disclosed that the GFA is keen on using the Sekondi-based facility for the two matches scheduled for later this month.

Essipong recently returned to the international football calendar after seven years when the Black Queens defeated Mauritius 7-0 in an Olympic Games qualifying match on October 13.

The planned renovation of the five major stadia is expected to improve Ghana's sporting infrastructure and reduce the country's dependence on a handful of approved venues for international competitions.