NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah Vows to "Give 200%" Amid Funding Challenges
Accra, Ghana - 02 April, 2025 - Ghana's National Sports Authority (NSA) is facing a daunting task in maintaining the country's sports infrastructure, despite being allocated 65 million cedis by Parliament.
The NSA Director-General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, in an interview with Joy Sports, has vowed to go above and beyond to ensure the upkeep of national facilities, admitting that the available resources are "not much".
Ampofo Ankrah's determination is laudable, given the challenges faced by the NSA. Former Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul highlighted the meager allocation for pitch maintenance, stressing the need for "capital injection" to prevent facility deterioration.
The NSA's reliance on renting out national stadiums has proven counterproductive, with the Baba Yara Stadium being a prime example. After hosting a five-day church program in July 2024, the pitch was left in poor condition, leading to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) revoking the stadium's license to host international matches.
To address these challenges, Ampofo Ankrah emphasized the need for innovative thinking and resourcefulness. "We need to think outside the box...we need to be innovative in the way we try to bring in funding, resources, expertise, technicalities," he said.
As the NSA navigates these difficulties, Ampofo Ankrah's promise to give "200%" is a testament to his commitment to Ghana's sports development.
"Much has not been given but more is expected so we are not under any illusion as to the task ahead and I think that is where the challenge is positive," Ampofo Ankrah said.
"We need to think outside the box, we need to be innovative in the way we try to bring in funding, resources, expertise, technicalities and we did it with the first game [Ghana vs Chad].
"I think we are going to make a mark. I am very excited to be here at this time and what I can assure is that we will give 200%. We can't give a 100% because that might not be enough. We need to double our efforts and that is exactly what we intend to do."
Source: Lead News Online
