NY DJ criticises GH‵400,000 Baba Yara Stadium rental fee

Ghanaian entertainment journalist Ebenezer Donkoh, popularly known as NY DJ, has expressed significant concern over the GH₵400,000 rental fee charged for the use of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. The journalist revealed that rapper Sarkodie paid this amount, which is approximately $35,000, to secure the venue for his recent Rapperholic concert. Donkoh warned that such high costs could stifle the growth of the entertainment industry in the Ashanti Region by deterring major artists from hosting large-scale events outside of Accra.

The critique follows the successful execution of the Rapperholic concert, which was intentionally staged in Kumasi to provide fans in the region with easier access to the high-profile show. However, NY DJ argued that the authorities managing the stadium appear to be prioritising short-term revenue over the long-term development of the creative arts sector. He explicitly stated that if the Rapperholic event does not return to Kumasi in the future, the responsibility should lie with the management of the sports facility and their steep financial demands.

This development has sparked a wider conversation regarding the financial hurdles and sustainability challenges faced by event organisers in Ghana. While the Baba Yara Sports Stadium is a premier venue, industry observers note that high rental prices often force organisers to either increase ticket prices beyond the reach of local audiences or revert to hosting shows exclusively in the capital. The debate highlights an ongoing tension between the need for state-owned facilities to generate maintenance funds and the broader national objective of promoting cultural and artistic activities across all regions of the country.