Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the former National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General, has broken his silence for the first time after he was removed by President John Dramani Mahama.
It will be recalled that yesterday, October 1, 2026, news broke that Yaw Ampofo Ankrah had been sacked over an alleged visa facilitation arrangement linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The development comes less than a month after President John Mahama dissolved the NSA’s governing board on September 2, 2026.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah’s tenure has also been overshadowed by allegations of a visa facilitation scheme involving individuals seeking assistance with visa and travel arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The allegations intensified in September after the Minority in Parliament called for his suspension or dismissal, claiming that more than US$600,000 had been collected from applicants, with some allegedly charged as much as US$8,000.
Mr Ampofo and other NSA officials were subsequently reported to have been questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) as part of investigations into the matter.
The NSA, however, denied authorising any visa facilitation or money-collection scheme, describing the allegations as false. Its legal team also said the authority was cooperating with the police investigation.
Beyond the visa allegations, the NSA under Mr Ampofo Ankrah also faced scrutiny over the state of major sporting facilities, including the Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara Sports Stadium, whose suitability to host major sporting events has come under question.
His dismissal now brings his leadership of the NSA to an end amid ongoing discussions about the management of Ghana’s sporting infrastructure and the authority’s operations.
Meanwhile, President John Mahama has now appointed Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong as Acting Director-General of the NSA following Mr Ampofo Ankrah’s sacking.
Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, speaking exclusively to JoySports, expressed his disappointment at not being given the opportunity to properly explain his side of the matter.
He 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.”
“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 added.
Meanwhile, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Ranking Member of Parliament for the Youth and Sports Committee, has said President John Mahama’s removal of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah should not be treated as the end of accountability over the controversy surrounding the World Cup visa allegations.
According to Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the buck ultimately stops with the Minister.
He argued that circumstances leading to the NSA Director-General’s removal raises questions about the responsibility of the Sports and Recreation Minister.
The Old Tafo MP stressed that accountability should extend beyond the immediate target of the controversy.
Vincent Ekow Assafuah added that the Minister must also be held responsible for his role in the developments at the NSA.
The Old Tafo MP’s comment follows President John Dramani Mahama sacking Yaw Ampofo Ankrah as Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA).
Mr Ampofo’s removal brings an end to his tenure at the NSA following months of scrutiny over the management and condition of the country’s sporting facilities.
In a post on Facebook, Vincent Ekow Assafuah wrote, “The sacking of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah does not, by itself, resolve the issues at the centre of this matter. The buck ultimately stops with the Minister.
Based on the facts currently available, the Minister is not detached from the circumstances that have led to Mr Ampofo Ankrah’s dismissal. While we remain grateful to the President for heeding our call and sacking Mr Ampofo Ankrah, it is imperative to note that accountability is the objective, and it must not stop at the most convenient target.
The Minister must also take responsibility and be sacked for his role in the mess at the NSA. Anything short of that risks treating the symptom while leaving the underlying problem untouched”.
Watch the video below:
Exclusive: Yaw Ampofo Ankrah breaks his silence following his suspension as Director-General of the National Sports Authority.
— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) October 1, 2026
“I’m very calm, but a bit disappointed.”
Here’s what he had to say.#JoySports pic.twitter.com/yV8zJgLAmx
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