President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Gideon Hammond as the new Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA).
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for Ghanaian football, just a day before the Black Stars face Chad in a historic first encounter during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Hammond, a seasoned sports administrator with over 15 years of experience in sports management and youth development, steps into the role with a mandate to support the NSA in driving infrastructural improvements, talent development, and administrative reforms.
His appointment is seen as a strategic step by President Mahama to bolster the sports ecosystem, especially following the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a disappointment that has left fans and stakeholders eager for a turnaround.
The appointment of Gideon Hammond as Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority has elicited a blend of optimism and cautious hope from the public. He will work closely with Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, who was recently appointed as the Director General of the NSA, to drive the organization’s objectives forward.
Many Ghanaians see Hammond’s track record in grassroots sports development as a positive sign, particularly his previous work in improving facilities for youth academies and his advocacy for better athlete welfare.
However, some fans remain skeptical, pointing to the broader challenges facing the NSA, including ageing infrastructure and funding constraints, which have long hindered the country’s sporting ambitions.
