Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has been suspended from his position as Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), with Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong appointed as his acting replacement.
Prof. Sarpong takes charge at a time of heightened scrutiny over the management of Ghana’s sporting facilities and an ongoing police investigation into an alleged visa facilitation scheme linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Prof. Sarpong is an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) and previously served on the NSA’s governing board before its dissolution by President Mahama on September 2, 2026.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah’s removal comes weeks after allegations emerged that about US$623,000 had been collected from prospective travellers seeking assistance with visa and travel arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The allegations led to a police investigation, with Mr Ampofo Ankrah and other NSA officials reportedly questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
The Minority in Parliament had also called for the NSA Director-General to be suspended or dismissed, citing allegations that some prospective travellers were charged as much as US$8,000 for assistance with World Cup travel arrangements.
The Minority’s concerns followed a petition reportedly submitted to the CID on September 8 over the alleged collection of money from people seeking assistance to travel to the tournament.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah has denied wrongdoing and previously maintained that he had no knowledge of any arrangement involving the collection of money from prospective World Cup travellers.
The NSA has also rejected claims that it authorised a visa facilitation or money-collection scheme.
In a statement issued in September, the Authority said it had neither established nor authorised an office at the stadium for collecting money or facilitating World Cup visas. It also clarified that its relationship with TRIBE FEST, a FIFA-licensed partner involved in fan-experience activities, World Cup viewing events and mobilisation, did not authorise the organisation or any NSA official to collect money for visa procurement.
The NSA said it was prepared to cooperate with any lawful police investigation and that the Director-General and other relevant officials would make themselves available to investigators when required.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah’s removal also follows President Mahama’s dissolution of the NSA’s governing board on September 2. He was among the members of the dissolved board but remained in charge of the Authority’s day-to-day administration.
Prof. Sarpong now assumes responsibility for the NSA as the police investigation into the alleged visa arrangement continues.
