President John Dramani Mahama has removed Yaw Ampofo Ankrah from his position as Director-General of Ghana's National Sports Authority (NSA). This decision comes after months of scrutiny over the management of the country's sporting facilities. Ampofo Ankrah's removal was announced alongside the appointment of Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong as the Acting Director-General of the NSA.
Professor Sarpong, an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), takes charge of the Authority at a critical time. The NSA is currently under investigation by the police over an alleged visa facilitation scheme linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The scheme allegedly involved the collection of over $600,000 from individuals seeking assistance with visa and travel arrangements.
The Minority in Parliament had called for Ampofo Ankrah's suspension or dismissal over the allegations, which included charges of up to $8,000 per applicant. Following these allegations, Ampofo Ankrah and other NSA officials were questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department. Despite these allegations, the NSA has denied any involvement in the visa facilitation scheme and claimed it is cooperating with the police investigation.
Ampofo Ankrah's removal comes less than a month after President Mahama dissolved the NSA's governing board on September 2, 2026. As a member of the dissolved board, Ampofo Ankrah continued to oversee the Authority's day-to-day operations. His leadership faced intensified pressure in September following the allegations of financial impropriety.
The NSA is also facing concerns over the condition of major sporting facilities, including the Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara Sports Stadium. These facilities have faced scrutiny over their suitability to host major sporting events. Professor Sarpong now assumes responsibility for addressing these concerns and overseeing the management and maintenance of Ghana's sports infrastructure.
As Acting Director-General, Professor Sarpong will need to navigate the challenges facing the NSA, including the ongoing police investigation and the need to restore public trust in the Authority. His appointment is seen as a move to revamp the NSA's leadership and address the criticisms leveled against the organization.
The changes at the NSA reflect the government's efforts to address concerns over the management of Ghana's sports sector. With Professor Sarpong at the helm, the NSA is expected to prioritize transparency and accountability in its operations. The government's actions aim to ensure the proper management of sports facilities and the integrity of sports administration in Ghana.
Key points
- President John Dramani Mahama removes Yaw Ampofo Ankrah as NSA Director-General amid allegations of financial impropriety and scrutiny over sports facilities management.
- Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong appointed as Acting Director-General of the NSA to oversee the Authority's operations during a critical time.
- The NSA is under investigation over an alleged visa facilitation scheme linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
