The National Sports Authority (NSA) has been thrust into another major administrative crisis following the official dismissal of its Director-General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah. President John Dramani Mahama terminated the appointment effective Thursday, October 1, 2026, marking a significant escalation in the government's ongoing crackdown on the sports sector.

The decisive executive action arrives in the wake of intense public scrutiny and an active, high-stakes investigation into a highly controversial visa facilitation scheme tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to emerging allegations, the scandal involves financial irregularities estimated at a staggering $600,000.

While Ampofo Ankrah has not been formally convicted of any wrongdoing, the sheer scale of the allegations and the growing public controversy forced the presidency's hand. The NSA had previously issued statements vehemently denying any institutional involvement in the alleged visa arrangement, but the assurances failed to shield its leadership from the fallout.

To stabilize the organization and ensure administrative continuity during the investigative process, Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, a former member of the NSA board, has been immediately appointed as the acting Director-General.

Ampofo Ankrah’s exit is the latest blow in a sweeping overhaul of the sporting authority. His removal comes less than a month after President Mahama completely dissolved the NSA's governing board on September 2, demonstrating a zero-tolerance approach toward alleged administrative misconduct and financial irregularities within the national sports framework.