The Volta Region Youth Resource Centre at Adaklu Tsrefe, once a focal point for Ghana’s 66th Independence Day celebration, has deteriorated into a state of neglect. The facility, now overrun by snakes, rodents, and wild rabbits, resembles a wildlife sanctuary rather than a hub for youth activities.

Less than two years after hosting a national event, the centre’s structures are crumbling, and the grounds have become a tangled mess of overgrown weeds. The only “sporting activities” are clashes between wild rabbits and security dogs, as the facility lies abandoned.

Angered by the rapid decline, the Volta Sports Crusaders staged a protest in Ho on August 16, calling for immediate government intervention to restore the centre. They presented a petition to Augustus Awity, Chief Director of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC).

Forster Korsi Osei, the group’s spokesperson, expressed frustration over the unfinished project, which began in 2018 with a nine-month completion timeline but remains incomplete. The centre now faces severe neglect, with damaged structures and stolen equipment, as wildlife takes over the site.

Osei also highlighted the deteriorating condition of the Ho Sports Stadium, used by Division One clubs, which has similarly fallen into disrepair. The Volta Sports Crusaders urged the government to act swiftly to complete and properly utilize the Youth Resource Centre.

Yao Semode, Volta Regional Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA), stated that discussions with contractors are ongoing to address the situation, but the fate of the once-promising facility remains uncertain as the community awaits action.