Akufo-Addo Sacks NSA Boss
After six months into his role as the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Dodzie Numekevor has been stripped of the role by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
A letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, directed him to hand over to the Chairman of the Governing Board of the NSA.
“I am directed by the President of the Republic to inform you that your appointment as the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (Authority) has been terminated with immediate effect. You are directed to hand over your Office to the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Authority, who is copied on this letter.”
His tenure ended on Wednesday, September 17, 2024.
“Please ensure that you hand over and cease to act as the Director-General of the Authority no later than the close of business on 17th September 2024.”
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude to Mr Numekevor for his service to the nation.
Numekevor took over from Prof Peter Twumasi in March and the termination of his appointment comes after the hosting right of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium was withdrawn by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) last week.
Withdrawal
The CAF in a letter charged Ghana to find a new venue outside the country to host their October home game against Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers as it noted that the Baba Yara Sports Stadium is not fit for purpose.
The Baba Yara Sports Stadium held a right to host Category 3 international matches, but it was stripped after officials of the Confederation observed the deteriorated and poor state of the venue based in Kumasi.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) communicated the decision by CAF to the public on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
CAF as part of the remedy, directed Ghanaian authorities to invest in upgrading the facility to meet international standards.
The letter from CAF recommended that the relevant authorities “conduct a comprehensive assessment of all major international stadiums in Ghana to ensure they comply with CAF technical standards”.
Additionally, CAF advised that the stadium management engage experienced companies immediately to undertake the necessary refurbishment to meet CAF/FIFA standards.
The African football governing body also expressed its commitment to supporting Ghana in bringing its stadiums up to the required standards for hosting CAF/FIFA senior international matches, offering to assist by providing an international pitch consultant with experience in major international competitions, including AFCON, to offer additional expert guidance on the necessary improvements. The cost of this support would be borne by the GFA.
CAF went on to indicate that once the needed renovation works were completed, it would, at the GFA’s request and expense, conduct an independent inspection to reassess the stadium’s suitability for future matches.
