Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has said the dismissal of National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah does not by itself resolve the issues surrounding Ghana’s football.
The Old Tafo MP noted that ultimate responsibility for the situation rests with the Minister for Sports and Recreation and called for his dismissal as well.
“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,” he said.
Ampofo Ankrah’s suspension follows allegations that about US$623,000 was collected from prospective travellers seeking assistance with visa and travel arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The allegations triggered a police investigation, with Mr Ankrah and others connected to the matter appearing before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
The NSA has previously denied authorising any visa facilitation or money-collection arrangement.
According to the Ranking Member, the Minister cannot be separated from the circumstances that led to Ampofo Ankrah’s removal.
“Based on the facts currently available, the Minister is not detached from the circumstances that have led to Mr. Ampofo Ankrah’s dismissal,” he stated.
He welcomed the President’s decision to dismiss the former NSA Director-General, saying it followed calls for accountability.
“While we remain grateful to the President for heeding to 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,” he said.
He argued that the Minister should also be held responsible for his alleged role in the challenges at the NSA.
“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,” Assafuah added in his post on Thursday, October 1.
