Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has removed Yaw Ampofo Ankrah from his position as Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), following controversies surrounding the management of sports infrastructure and an ongoing police investigation into an alleged visa facilitation scheme linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has been appointed Acting Director-General to oversee the affairs of the Authority.
The leadership change comes amid growing scrutiny of the NSA, which is responsible for managing and maintaining public sports facilities as well as promoting sports development across Ghana.
One of the major controversies surrounding the Authority involves allegations of a visa facilitation scheme connected to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In September, the Minority in Ghana’s Parliament called for Ankrah’s suspension or dismissal over allegations that more than US$600,000 had been collected from individuals seeking assistance with visa applications and travel arrangements for the tournament.
Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, alleged that some applicants were charged as much as US$8,000 for the services.
The Minority subsequently demanded an investigation into the alleged arrangement, insisting that Ankrah should step aside while the matter was being investigated.
The allegations prompted a police investigation, with reports indicating that Ankrah and some NSA officials were questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
However, the NSA denied authorising any visa facilitation arrangement or money collection scheme connected to the World Cup.
In a statement reported by the Ghana News Agency on September 18, the Authority said its legal team was cooperating with the police investigation.
The allegations remain under investigation and have not established criminal wrongdoing by Ankrah or other officials.
The latest development also follows President Mahama’s decision on September 2, 2026, to dissolve the governing board of the National Sports Authority with immediate effect.
The dissolved board was chaired by Dr Fred Awaah, with Ankrah serving as a member while overseeing the Authority’s day-to-day operations.
Professor Osei Sarpong’s appointment is expected to provide leadership for the NSA as the government moves to address concerns surrounding the management and administration of the country’s sports sector.
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