MINISTRY OF FINANCE SET TO CLEAR NSA TO ADDRESS STAFF SHORTAGE AND COMMENCE CRITICAL RECRUITMENT

The Ministry of Finance is expected to grant clearance to the National Sports Authority (NSA) to begin a major recruitment exercise aimed at addressing a significant staffing deficit across the country.

The recruitment process is expected to fill more than 450 vacant positions within the authority, once the necessary approval is received from the Finance Ministry.

The Sports Authority Established under the Sports Act, 2016 (Act 934), serves as Ghana’s apex body responsible for the development and promotion of sports. The Authority is also mandated to ensure the effective monitoring and management of national sporting facilities, while providing technical support to various sports associations and federations in line with government policy.

Recent media reports surrounding the emergency recruitment of 17 personnel by the Authority generated widespread public discussion. The individuals involved have since been directed by the Minister for Sports and Recreation to reapply through the appropriate process to enable the Public Services Commission to regularise their employment and place them on improved conditions of service.

Several key operational areas within the NSA are currently experiencing critical staff shortages. These include technical field officers such as coaches, grassroots sports development officers and research personnel.

Other departments, including estates, security, information technology and marketing, are also reported to be significantly understaffed.

One notable development within the Authority in recent times has been the establishment of an Operations Unit, which has played a crucial role in facilitating and fast-tracking many of the NSA’s activities, particularly during 2025 when the institution operated without a governing board.

Under the leadership of the Director-General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the Authority has recorded a number of notable achievements. These include the recovery of several misappropriated and undocumented assets belonging to the NSA.

Over the past year, the Authority has also injected renewed energy and clarity of purpose into its operations through a pragmatic and results-driven leadership approach. This has contributed to improvements in infrastructure management, recovery of sports facilities, enhanced federation governance, improved internally generated funds (IGF) efficiency, stronger corporate partnerships, better international sporting cooperation and increased coordination of national sporting events.