Ghana’s sports scene has had a rough day. President John Dramani Mahama has removed Yaw Ampofo Ankrah as Director-General of the National Sports Authority, just as the country was still digesting the Black Stars coaching changes. Yaw Ampofo Ankrah dismissed from the NSA is now one of the biggest sports stories in the country, so here’s a clear breakdown.
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Yaw Ampofo Ankrah dismissed: is it a sacking or a suspension?
This is where the reports differ. The decision took effect on Thursday, October 1, 2026, and several outlets, including Citi, GBC and GhanaWeb, describe it as a sacking.
But the presidential letter quoted by MyJoyOnline says something slightly different. It directs that he be suspended with immediate effect, pending the completion of the Criminal Investigation Department’s investigation. In plain terms, the president had Yaw Ampofo Ankrah dismissed from his duties for now, while the formal wording points to a suspension. Until the NSA or the Presidency clarifies, both words are in use.
What is the World Cup visa controversy?
At the centre of the story is an alleged visa facilitation scheme linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. A petition was reportedly submitted to the CID on September 8, alleging that people connected to the NSA took money from prospective travellers on the understanding that their visa and travel arrangements would be handled.
The sums involved are large. Minority MPs alleged that about US$600,000 to US$623,000 was collected, with some applicants reportedly charged up to US$8,000. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, said promotional materials for the arrangement were reportedly displayed at NSA offices and stadium facilities.
These are allegations, not proven facts.
What do Ampofo Ankrah and the NSA say?
They deny it. The NSA says it did not authorise any visa facilitation or money-collection scheme, and its legal team is cooperating with investigators. It also says its relationship with TRIBE FEST, a FIFA-licensed fan-experience partner, did not authorise that organisation or any NSA official to collect money for visa procurement.
For his part, Ampofo Ankrah appeared before the CID last week and denied the allegations. He has also reportedly said he knew nothing about any arrangement for collecting money from World Cup travellers.
One more caution. 3News notes that there is no official indication that the visa controversy is the reason for his exit, and the circumstances have not been publicly explained. So the link between the allegations and the decision is widely assumed, but not officially stated.
Is there a BNI investigation too?
Yes. The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) is also investigating the matter, and it is a separate development from his suspension. That means the allegations are being looked at by more than one security agency.
Why Yaw Ampofo Ankrah was already under pressure
The visa claims weren’t the only problem. President Mahama dissolved the NSA’s 15-member governing board on September 2, 2026, citing governance reforms and public concern over the state of major venues such as the Accra and Baba Yara stadia. Ampofo Ankrah was a member of that board but kept overseeing the Authority’s day-to-day operations after it was disbanded.
So the NSA has been under a cloud for weeks, over both facility management and the visa allegations. With Yaw Ampofo Ankrah dismissed, the government has now acted on both fronts.
Who replaces Yaw Ampofo Ankrah at the NSA?
Emmanuel Osei Sarpong has been named Acting Director-General. He is currently the National Coordinator of the School and Grassroots Sports Secretariat at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation. He is also an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Education, Winneba. His appointment is temporary while the investigation runs, and no permanent replacement has been announced.
Reaction: should the Sports Minister go too?
The Minority says the story shouldn’t end here. Assafuah, while welcoming the decision, is calling for Sports Minister Kofi Adams to also be dismissed, arguing that accountability should extend beyond the former NSA boss. He has said the removal shouldn’t be treated as the end of the matter, because « the buck ultimately stops with the Minister. » Earlier, the Minority said it was not prejudging the investigation but believed he should step aside while it ran.
There has been no official response from the Minister at the time of writing.
What happens next?
Three things to watch:
- The CID and BNI investigations: whether anyone is charged, and whether findings are made public.
- The NSA’s leadership: whether Prof. Sarpong stays acting or a permanent Director-General is named, and when a new board is appointed.
- Pressure on the Sports Ministry: after the Black Stars coaching exit and the NSA changes, this is a very busy week for Ghana’s sports administration.
Final word
Yaw Ampofo Ankrah dismissed from the NSA closes one chapter, but the investigations and the political fallout are only starting. We’ll update this post as soon as the Presidency, NSA or investigators say more.
What do you make of it? Tell us in the comments, and follow our WhatsApp channel for updates.
FAQ
Has Yaw Ampofo Ankrah been dismissed?
President Mahama removed him as NSA Director-General on October 1, 2026. Several outlets say sacked, while the presidential letter reported by MyJoyOnline describes a suspension pending the CID investigation.
Why was Yaw Ampofo Ankrah dismissed?
No official reason has been given. The decision follows an alleged World Cup visa scheme, a police investigation and scrutiny of how sporting facilities are managed.
Who is the new NSA Director-General?
Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong is Acting Director-General.
How much money is alleged to have been collected?
Minority MPs alleged about US$600,000 to US$623,000, with some applicants charged up to US$8,000. The claims are unproven.
Has Ampofo Ankrah denied the allegations?
Yes. He denied them before the CID, and the NSA says it never authorised any such scheme.
