Ampofo Ankrah Removed as NSA Boss; Prof. Sarpong Named Acting DG
Prof. Sarpong takes over as NSA Acting DG.
- Ampofo Ankrah removed as NSA boss.
- Prof. Sarpong appointed Acting DG.
- NSA faces scrutiny over sports facilities.
President John Dramani Mahama has removed Yaw Ampofo Ankrah from his position as Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA).
Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong has been appointed Acting Director-General of the Authority following Mr Ampofo Ankrah’s removal.
Prof. Sarpong, an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), assumes responsibility for the NSA at a time of heightened scrutiny over the management of Ghana’s sporting facilities.
His appointment also comes amid an ongoing police investigation into an alleged visa facilitation scheme linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The NSA has denied any involvement in the alleged scheme, while its legal representatives have indicated that the Authority is cooperating with the police investigation.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah’s departure ends his tenure at the NSA following months of scrutiny over the management and administration of the country’s sporting facilities.
The development comes less than a month after President Mahama dissolved the NSA’s governing board on September 2, 2026.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah, who served as a member of the dissolved board, remained in charge of the Authority’s day-to-day operations after the board was disbanded.
Pressure on his leadership intensified in September when the Minority in Parliament called for his suspension or dismissal over allegations that more than US$600,000 had been collected from individuals seeking assistance with visa and travel arrangements for the World Cup.
The allegations remain the subject of investigation, while the NSA has maintained that it was not involved in the alleged visa facilitation scheme.
