Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has been removed from his position as Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), with Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong appointed to take over in an acting capacity.
The leadership change was reported on Thursday, October 1, bringing Ampofo Ankrah’s approximately 18-month tenure at the Authority to an end. He was appointed Director-General in March 2025 after a career in sports journalism and broadcasting.
Prof. Sarpong, an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Education, Winneba, has subsequently been named Acting Director-General. He previously served on the NSA Governing Board and chaired its Technical Committee before the board was dissolved in September.
The change comes amid heightened public scrutiny of the NSA, including an ongoing police investigation into allegations concerning a purported visa-facilitation arrangement connected with travel to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Minority in Parliament had raised allegations concerning money reportedly collected from prospective travellers. However, these claims remain allegations and have not been established as findings of wrongdoing against Ampofo Ankrah. The NSA has denied authorising any visa-facilitation or money-collection scheme and said it was cooperating with investigators.
Available reports have also differed in their description of Ampofo Ankrah’s departure, with some referring to his removal and others describing the action as a suspension. More importantly, no publicly established finding reviewed by Moment of Wisdom shows that the allegations themselves constituted the official reason for the leadership change.
Reacting to the development, Ampofo Ankrah urged calm and said, “The President is always right. There is no cause for alarm.” He subsequently expressed disappointment over the circumstances of his departure, saying he believed he had not been given sufficient opportunity to explain his side. Those comments represent his account of events.
Prof. Sarpong now assumes responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the National Sports Authority at a time when the institution faces significant attention over governance, management of sporting facilities and public confidence.
The leadership change has also attracted political reaction, including calls from opposition figures for broader accountability within Ghana’s sports administration. Such statements represent political positions rather than established findings against other officials.
As investigations into the separate visa allegations continue, any individuals mentioned in connection with those allegations remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless wrongdoing is established through the appropriate legal process.
Attention will now turn to Prof. Sarpong’s stewardship of the NSA and the direction of Ghana’s sports administration under the new acting leadership.
Moment of Wisdom; Time for Wisdom.
