18/9/2024
The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Dodzie Numekevor, has been dismissed by the President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The dismissal follows the revocation of Baba Yara Sports Stadium’s licence from hosting international matches by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Mr. Numekevor’s dismissal is reportedly linked to the President’s displeasure about the stadium being rented out for a six-day church programme ahead of Ghana’s AFCON 2025 qualifier against Angola, hence ordered for the dismissal of other individuals involved in renting out the venue.
Signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, the termination letter directs the NSA Director General to hand over his office to the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Authority by close of business on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
It is reported that the President also warned the Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, that he will be held accountable if Ghana plays any of its home matches outside of the country.
In response, the Sports Minister, through his Chief Director, William Kartay Caesar, queried Mr Numekevor, demanding that he explains why he should not face penalties for leading an authority which has brought embarrassment to the office of the president and the nation.
Mr Numekevor had Wednesday, September 18, 2024, to respond to the query, but President Akufo-Addo who appears dissatisfied with the state of sports infrastructure under the NSA’s leadership, relieved him of his duty Tuesday afternoon, sources indicate.
Prior to his dismissal, the NSA Boss had closed down the Baba Yara, Accra, and Cape Coast stadia for maintenance due to growing concerns about the deteriorating conditions of the facilities.
CAF previously recommended reconstruction of the Baba Yara pitch and highlighted the poor conditions of both the Accra and Cape Coast Sports facilities in a letter to the Ghana Football Association on September 10.
Ghana is currently considering Togo as an alternate venue if local facilities in the country are not fit to host Sudan on matchday three in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
Dr. Dodzie Numekevor had been serving as interim Director General of the NSA since February 26, 2024, after he took over from Professor Peter Twumasi, who led the Authority for six years.
By: Maxwell Woyram Tsigbe