Suspended National Sports Authority Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah will not appear before Parliament as his lawyers cite an ongoing investigation by Ghana's Criminal Investigations Department. According to his legal counsel, Jerry Avenorgbor of Brookman Amissah & Associates, Ampofo Ankrah has cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the police as they work to establish the facts surrounding his suspension.
The lawyers have urged the media and public to exercise restraint and avoid presenting allegations, speculation, or unverified information as established facts while the investigation is ongoing. They stressed that the existence of an investigation does not, by itself, amount to a finding of wrongdoing against Ampofo Ankrah or any other person. This cautious approach aims to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Ampofo Ankrah's lawyers argue that appearing before Parliament at this stage could create complications for the investigation and potentially affect the process through which the facts are being established. As a result, he has decided to defer any appearance until the investigation has been concluded and the circumstances surrounding his suspension have been determined by the appropriate authorities.
The decision to postpone the parliament appearance should not be interpreted as a refusal to submit to lawful processes or to account to Parliament or any other constitutionally mandated institution. Ampofo Ankrah's position is intended to prevent any action that could potentially interfere with the ongoing investigation. His lawyers have called for patience and respect for the investigative process.
If Ampofo Ankrah's suspension is lifted and he is restored to his position as Director-General of the NSA, he will respond appropriately to any lawful request to appear before Parliament or another competent institution. His lawyers have assured that they will address any issues requiring clarification once the appropriate authorities have completed their work.
The investigation into Ampofo Ankrah's activities was initiated following his suspension by the Office of the President. While details of the allegations remain scarce, the CID's involvement indicates a serious examination of the circumstances surrounding his suspension. The public and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
Ampofo Ankrah's case has garnered significant attention, given his prominent role in Ghana's sports administration. The eventual findings of the investigation and any subsequent actions will likely have implications for the NSA and the broader sports sector in Ghana. Key stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts and government officials, are closely monitoring developments in this case.
Key points
- Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has deferred his appearance before Parliament due to an ongoing CID investigation into his activities.
- Ampofo Ankrah's lawyers have urged restraint from the media and public to avoid speculating on the allegations.
- The investigation's outcome will likely impact the NSA and Ghana's sports sector.
