EXIM Bank CEO Applauds Anlo Dukor Council for Roles in Hogbe Park Transformation

ANLOGA (Volta Region) – August 8, 2026

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM), Mr Sylvester Adinam Mensah, has acknowledged the leadership and initiative of the Awoamefia of Anlo, Togbi Sri III, and the Awadada of Anlo, Togbi Agbesi Awusu II, in the transformation of the historic Hogbe Park in Anloga into a modern astro turf facility.

Mr Mensah said the project was the result of a deliberate effort by the traditional leadership to identify the need for improved sporting infrastructure, make a case for the redevelopment of the facility and pursue the intervention to fruition.

“This project did not happen by accident. It happened because Awoamefia Togbi Sri III identified the need, made the case, and followed through,” he said.

Mr Mensah made the remarks when GEXIM commissioned the Awoamefia Togbi Sri III Astro Turf Park at Hogbe Park, Anloga, on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in the Volta Region.

He said the Bank recognised Togbi Sri III’s commitment to the development of Anloga and considered the need for improved sporting infrastructure a credible basis for investment.

Ghana EXIM Bank provided financing for the project under the bank’s mandate to support investments capable of generating economic and social returns for Ghanaians.

Mr Mensah described the intervention as more than the provision of a football pitch, saying it represented an investment in the youth, community development and the local economy.

He said Anloga had the population, sporting culture and talent required to benefit from a modern sporting facility, but lacked the infrastructure needed to support competitive football and structured sporting activities.

The facility, he said, would support league matches, training programmes, tournaments and school competitions while providing a platform for young people to develop their sporting talents.

Mr Mensah also highlighted the potential economic benefits of the facility, saying a properly managed sports centre could generate revenue and create employment for groundskeepers, administrators, security personnel and vendors, while attracting visiting teams and officials whose activities could stimulate spending within the local economy, saying it would equally provide young people with a structured sporting environment, promote discipline and association and channel their energies into productive activities.

However, Mr Mensah stressed that the sustainability of the investment would depend on effective management and responsible use of the facility.

He said a Seven-Member management committee had been established to oversee the day-to-day administration of the park, stressing that governance was as important as the physical construction of the facility.

“A facility without governance deteriorates,” he said, charging the management committee to maintain proper records, manage access responsibly and ensure that the facility continued to serve the community over the long term.

Mr Mensah further disclosed that GEXIM would continue to monitor the utilisation and management of the facility.

“I want to say this plainly: the condition of this park in five years will tell us whether this investment was well placed,” he said.

He added that although the Bank was confident in the investment, “confidence is not a substitute for oversight,” assuring the gathering that GEXIM would maintain an interest in the management of the facility.

Sri III acknowledges GEXIM, stakeholders

For his part, Togbi Sri III expressed appreciation to GEXIM for accepting the proposal to redevelop the historic Hogbe Park, saying the traditional leadership did not take the intervention for granted.

“I, together with my chiefs and queens, do not take this gesture for granted, knowing well that there are many communities in Ghana yearning for a facility like this and would have wished it was built in their communities,” he said.

The Awoamefia also used the occasion to acknowledge the contribution of other stakeholders whose efforts, he said, were instrumental in bringing the project to fruition.

He specifically recognised Awadada Togbi Agbesi Awusu II, Awoamezitor His Excellency Dan Abodakpi, Togbi Zewu IV and others for their commitment and efforts towards the project.

“Please permit me to acknowledge Awadada Togbi Agbesi Awusu II, Awoamezitor HE Dan Abodakpi, Togbi Zewu IV and the Anlo Youth Council, others whose untiring effort and commitment to this project brought us here today to witness this project named ‘Awoamefia Togbi Sri III Astro Turf Park,’” he said.

Togbi Sri III said the acknowledgement was not intended to diminish the contributions of other individuals and institutions who played roles in the project.

He further expressed appreciation to the Board and Management of GEXIM, particularly Mr Mensah, for their leadership and support in making the project possible.

The GEXIM CEO, in his remarks, also acknowledged the support of the Awadada and the traditional council, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, regional and district authorities, the contractor and technical personnel involved in the project.

He thanked the people of Anloga for their patience during the construction period.

The commissioning represents a significant transformation of Hogbe Park, which has for years served as a venue for sporting activities, community events and other gatherings in Anloga.

The new facility provides the community with modern sporting infrastructure while demonstrating how traditional leadership, institutional financing and community-driven initiatives can combine to support local development.

The commissioning ceremony was witnessed by a host of traditional leaders, including chiefs, queen mothers from across the Anlo state, District chief executives of Keta, Anloga and Ketu South and other key dignitaries from the area