On Wednesday 2 September, President John Dramani Mahama dissolved the governing board of the National Sports Authority (NSA) with immediate effect, part of a broader move affecting nine state institutions. The decree did not alter the statutory requirement that the NSA board include representatives from both the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and the National Paralympic Committee (NPC).
How the Decision Was Made
The Sports Act, 2016 (Act 934) mandates that the board must contain one person nominated by the NPC and another by the GOC. Samson Deen, NPC president, and Richard Kofi Akpokavie, GOC president, had served on the dissolved board. Their memberships ended with the President’s decree, but the positions remain part of any new board constituted under the Act.
What Happens Next
Both Deen and Akpokavie could return to the board if their organisations nominate them again and the President appoints them. The Act does not guarantee that the current presidents must occupy those seats; it simply requires that the organisations nominate representatives who are then presidentially appointed.
Impact on NSA Administration
Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the NSA Director‑General, continues to oversee day‑to‑day operations. His appointment is separate from the board and does not grant him the powers previously held by the governing body, such as reinstating former members or reconstituting committees.
Future Committees
One committee affected by the dissolution is the Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Committee, created by the former board to support resource mobilisation, strategic partnerships, the Constituency Games and sustainable sports financing. Its mandate will need formal confirmation or renewal by the incoming board.
Looking Ahead
While the NSA board has been dissolved, the new board is likely to retain Olympic and Paralympic representation, potentially with the current leaders, Deen and Akpokavie, if nominated and appointed. The exact composition will depend on subsequent nominations and presidential appointments.
