Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has assured the National Sports Authority that he will not break the rules of the stadium during his Rapperholic concert in Kumasi.

Taking to his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), earlier today, Wednesday, 24 September, the “Maakye” hitsmaker wrote, “The rules were set from day 1, and we are not ready to break it (sic)”.

His comments come after the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, during an appearance on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, clarified that while his outfit has given the rapper the green light to host the concert at the stadium, he has been banned from extending his activities to the pitch itself.

Acknowledging the poor state of pitches in the Ghana government’s efforts to renovate and add to the number of stadiums nationwide, he explained that “Sarkodie is prohibited from using the pitch to host the Rapperholic event. The pitch is important to us, and there is no way the event will be hosted on the pitch,” he added.

He continued that, while Sarkodie has explicitly been told to stay away from the pitch itself, he cautioned that sanctions would be applied if the arrangements were violated.

“We are aware that there is an agreement in place stating that a penalty or fine will be incurred should that happen, but we are not interested in pursuing that. There are no pitch covers, so we have to put measures in place to ensure that the pitch is safe,” he noted.

The annual flagship concert of the rapper is set to be held for the first time in Kumasi, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Saturday, September 29. This maiden edition of the concert in Kumasi was largely welcomed by the Sark Nation in Kumasi. Following the announcement, social media lit up with comments like:

“The landlord is home… Give me 1 ticket eeh.” Another user said, “Fresh and clean Sark. The King of African music is welcome to Kumasi”. Another user added, “Old Gee with the moves 💯.”

The explanation by the NSA boss had become necessary following concerns raised by football enthusiasts and stakeholders about the authority approving the concert to be held at the stadium when Ghana is preparing for an international match. Ghana has a mixed history when it comes to the quality of our pitches, with rare cases of consistent maintenance often from hosting football, concerts, and rallies. Lack of pitch covers, among others.

The Baba Yara pitch is undergoing renovations to meet CAF and FIFA standards, including turf upgrades and drainage improvements.

The National Sports Authority (NSA) has flagged the pitch as vulnerable to damage, especially from non-sporting events like concerts.

There are no protective pitch covers, making it risky to host large-scale setups directly on the grass.

The Rapperholic Concert was founded in 2012 to showcase Sarkodie’s music, celebrate Ghanaian rap, and thrill fans with exciting performances from both local and foreign artists. The concert is usually headlined by Sarkodie, who mostly gives opportunities to emerging rappers to perform. Rapperholic is mostly nothing short of an actual display of fashion and culture, with fans dressing in streetwear, among others.

This year promises nothing different. The concert is set to host artists like Black Sherif, King Promise, Efya, and surprise international acts. Under the theme “Rapperholic: The Homecoming”.

Sarkodie visits Otumfuor

Sarkodie visited Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at Manhyia Palace to formally seek royal blessing for the Rapperholic Kumasi Edition. During the meeting, Otumfuo warmly welcomed Sarkodie’s initiative and said:

“They don’t allow me to go out often, but this one, I would like to attend and watch the event myself.”Sarkordie was there with his team to officially inform the King about the upcoming concert and also seek his blessings and consent.

After advising the rapper and his team to stay humble, he said he’s happy to attend the event if invited.

The Asante Overlord’s comments show his regard for the rapper’s craft. Months ago, he also expressed his admiration for celebrated Ghanaian musician Kofi Kinaata. He was honoured by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his contribution to youth development through music.

As a special ceremony held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Kinaata received the "Youth in Entertainment Award" in recognition of how his music continues to inspire, guide and educate the younger generation. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II praised the artist for using his platform to address societal challenges and offer wisdom through lyrics that resonate deeply with everyday realities.He said, “Susuka is a song full of wisdom.”

"Susuka," one of Kinaata's most acclaimed songs, had earlier been described by the Asantehene as a composition "full of wisdom " during the General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association in September 2024. Kinaaa's style, rooted in storytelling and social commentary, has earned him widespread respect for being a voice of the voiceless.

From tackling themes of personal responsibility and social justice to highlighting issues affecting youth, his work stands out in Ghana's music landscape for its depth and relevance. The award was presented as part of Otumfuo's Millennium Excellence Awards-an initiative of Manhyia Palace that celebrates individuals who have made meaningful contributions to national development, particularly those whose efforts support vulnerable groups such as the poor, widows and orphans.