National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has been removed from office by President John Dramani Mahama, bringing his tenure at the sports governing body to an end amid mounting scrutiny over the management of Ghana’s sporting facilities and an ongoing investigation into an alleged World Cup visa scheme.
Ampofo Ankrah’s removal comes less than a month after President Mahama dissolved the NSA’s governing board on September 2 as concerns over the state of the country’s major sporting facilities intensified.
The dissolved board had included Ampofo Ankrah, who continued to oversee the Authority’s day-to-day operations after the board was disbanded.
His position subsequently came under greater pressure following allegations surrounding a visa facilitation arrangement linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Minority in Parliament had called for his immediate dismissal or suspension after alleging that more than US$600,000 had been collected from individuals seeking assistance with travel and visa arrangements for the tournament.
Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee Vincent Ekow Assafuah said some applicants were allegedly charged as much as US$8,000, while promotional materials for the arrangement were reportedly displayed at NSA offices and stadium facilities.
The allegations triggered a police inquiry, with Ampofo Ankrah and some NSA officials reportedly questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department.
The NSA, however, denied authorising any visa facilitation or money-collection scheme and said its legal team was cooperating with the police investigation.
The controversy followed months of criticism over Ghana’s sporting infrastructure, particularly the condition of major stadiums. The Accra and Baba Yara stadia had faced renewed scrutiny over their suitability to host high-profile sporting events.
The September 2 dissolution of the NSA board had already marked a significant change in the leadership structure of the Authority, with the Presidency saying the board would be reconstituted in due course.
Ampofo Ankrah’s removal now represents a further change at the top of the NSA as the government faces pressure to address concerns surrounding sports infrastructure, facility management and the administration of the Authority.
The allegations linked to the visa scheme remain subject to investigation, and the NSA has denied involvement in the alleged arrangement.
