In a decisive administrative shake-up, President John Dramani Mahama has relieved Yaw Ampofo Ankrah of his duties as Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA). The dismissal follows intense scrutiny surrounding an alleged financial scandal involving travel logistics for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Taking the helm as Acting Director-General is Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), who has been tasked with steering the state agency through a turbulent period.
The leadership transition coincides with an active police inquiry into a scheme where hundreds of thousands of dollars were purportedly solicited from hopeful fans seeking passage and entry visas for the global football tournament.
Reports indicate that the enterprise accumulated roughly $623,000, with individual applicants reportedly billed as much as $8,000 each for travel assistance. The mounting accusations spurred swift political backlash.
The Parliamentary Minority—spearheaded by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee—had aggressively campaigned for Ampofo Ankrah’s immediate removal or suspension to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigations.
The NSA and TRIBE FEST Push Back
For its part, the National Sports Authority has firmly rejected the claims, asserting that it never sanctioned any visa assistance programs nor operated an office to gather funds from prospective travelers.
While acknowledging a working relationship with TRIBE FEST—a FIFA-licensed entity focused on fan engagement and tournament-related events—the NSA emphasized that this partnership strictly excluded collecting money for visa processing.
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During questioning by law enforcement, Ampofo Ankrah reportedly maintained his innocence, claiming complete unawareness of any illicit scheme. The NSA’s legal department continues to assist police in their inquiry, and authorities stress that no formal criminal guilt has been established against the ousted chief.
Operational Vacuum and Structural Woes
Professor Sarpong steps into the interim role amidst broader organizational upheaval. On September 2, 2026, President Mahama dissolved the NSA’s governing board alongside those of eight other state enterprises. While the board’s departure left Ampofo Ankrah running daily operations single-handedly over the past month, this latest executive directive brings a definitive end to his tenure.
Beyond the financial investigation, the interim chief inherits severe infrastructural headaches. Public outcry has escalated over the neglected state of Ghana’s premier venues—notably the Accra Sports Stadium and Kumasi’s Baba Yara Sports Stadium—both of which have drawn heavy criticism regarding their readiness to host international fixtures.
As police continue probing the World Cup travel controversy, Professor Sarpong faces the immediate challenge of restoring credibility to the nation’s primary sports governing body while addressing the systemic decay of its athletic facilities.