Former National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has spoken publicly about his time in office, describing the demands of leading the authority as relentless. In an interview with JoySports, Ampofo Ankrah said the job offered no room for excuses, adding that the pressure was constant and unrelenting. His comments come two days after he was asked to step aside amid a growing scandal over a visa facilitation scheme linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ampofo Ankrah was appointed Director-General of the NSA by President John Dramani Mahama on 13 March 2025, taking over from Seth Panwum Boyoyo. During his time in charge, he and the authority faced repeated public criticism, particularly over the state and management of sporting facilities across Ghana. His removal from day-to-day duties came after allegations surfaced that a visa facilitation arrangement connected to Ghana's involvement in the 2026 World Cup had been improperly run through the NSA.
The NSA has denied the allegations, and investigations are ongoing. Lawyers acting for Ampofo Ankrah insisted he never personally collected any money linked to the World Cup visa arrangement, pushing back against claims that had circulated about his direct involvement. The authority is the state body charged with developing and regulating sport across Ghana, including the upkeep of public sporting facilities and oversight of national teams' logistics.
Allegations of a visa scheme tied to the World Cup raise questions about how public institutions handle sensitive processes connected to major international football events. Any mismanagement at the NSA, whether over facilities or financial dealings, has direct implications for how public funds meant for sports development are used. The NSA's mandate has repeatedly come under the spotlight during Ampofo Ankrah's tenure over complaints about neglected facilities in various regions.
Sources have not provided a timeline for when the investigation into the visa facilitation allegations will conclude, nor have officials said who will lead the NSA in the interim while Ampofo Ankrah remains stepped aside. The outcome — and Ampofo Ankrah's eventual standing — remains unresolved for now. The NSA continues to deny the allegations even as the probe proceeds.
Ampofo Ankrah's reflections on the pressures of the role come at a moment when his leadership is under intense scrutiny. The former NSA boss did not directly address the specifics of the allegations in the interview. His comments mark Ampofo Ankrah's first public remarks since being asked to step aside on 1 October 2026.
The development has significant implications for Ghana's sports sector, with the 2026 World Cup preparations underway. The Black Stars' participation in the tournament has generated significant interest among Ghanaians, and any mismanagement at the NSA could impact the country's sporting fortunes.
Key points
- Former NSA boss Yaw Ampofo Ankrah describes the demands of leading the authority as relentless and constant.
- Ampofo Ankrah was asked to step aside amid allegations of a visa facilitation scheme linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Investigations into the allegations are ongoing, with the NSA denying any wrongdoing.
