Suspension of NSA's Former Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah's Disappointment and Reaction to His Recent Suspension.

Suspension of NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah The former Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, has expressed his disappointment following his recent suspension by President John Dramani Mahama. The suspension is linked to an alleged visa facilitation arrangement concerning the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which has drawn significant attention and scrutiny. Allegations and Suspension The controversy arose from claims that approximately US$623,000 was collected from individuals seeking assistance with visa applications and travel arrangements for the upcoming World Cup. In response to these allegations, President Mahama suspended Ampofo Ankrah on Thursday, 1 October. Ampofo Ankrah, when speaking to JoySports, conveyed his disappointment over not being afforded the opportunity to present his side of the story before the suspension was enforced. He emphasized his calm demeanor despite the circumstances and the lack of discussion regarding the situation. “I’m still calm, a bit disappointed,” Ampofo Ankrah stated. “I’m not one to rant and rage. I’m disappointed that I’ve not been heard. It is disappointing that we haven’t been able to have a discussion as to exactly what the situation is.” Focus on NSA Facilities Before his suspension, Ampofo Ankrah was concentrating on preparing the Accra Sports Stadium and other NSA facilities for upcoming national assignments. The preparations were crucial, especially with the Black Stars and other national teams scheduled to utilize these facilities. “I’ve been focused on preparing the facility, Accra Sports Stadium, and other areas around the National Sports Authority to get ready for the Black Stars and other national assignments,” he mentioned. Leadership Transition In the wake of his suspension, Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong has been appointed as the Acting Director-General of the NSA. Professor Sarpong, an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Education, Winneba, will lead the Authority during the investigation into the alleged visa facilitation arrangement. Ampofo Ankrah maintains his innocence, denying any misconduct, and expressed his desire to have explained the circumstances surrounding the visa arrangements before the suspension decision was made. The situation continues to unfold as the NSA faces heightened scrutiny over its role in Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup.