The National Sports Authority (NSA), entrusted with overseeing Ghana’s sports facilities, has been plagued by a series of issues that threaten both its credibility and operational capacity.
The latest blow came when the Baba Yara Sports Stadium lost its accreditation for Category C matches under CAF regulations, effectively stripping the country of a venue capable of hosting international games.
This unfortunate situation raises serious concerns about the authority’s capacity to maintain these critical national assets.
In response to this crisis, the NSA has ordered the closure of three major stadiums—Accra Sports Stadium, Cape Coast Stadium, and Baba Yara—for renovation works.
These actions, while necessary, serve to further underscore the dysfunction within the authority.
The recent dismissal of the NSA’s Director General, Dodzie Numekevor, by the President speaks volumes about the internal disarray.
Though officially tied to the stadium debacle, Numekevor’s exit signals deeper dissatisfaction with the broader workings of the NSA.
Taking over as acting Director General is Majeed Bawa, a figure whose rise has caused more anxiety than assurance.
Bawa, reportedly connected to Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif through familial ties, has garnered attention not for progressive reforms but for a series of questionable decisions.
Chief among these has been the sudden reassignment of several senior officers, a move that has disrupted long-standing expertise within the organization.
A particularly striking case is that of Madam Eva Oteng, who has been stationed in the Central Region as a senior Estate Officer since 2017.
Recently recovering from a Caesarean section, she was transferred to the Eastern Region as Estate Manager.
While such a transfer could be seen as routine, closer scrutiny reveals a more troubling narrative.
Oteng’s knowledge of Bawa’s alleged involvement in shady dealings, including the questionable sale of a tunnel at the Robert Mensah Stadium and other financial improprieties, has reportedly put her in a vulnerable position.
According to insider sources, her transfer seems less about organizational restructuring and more about silencing a potential whistleblower.
This decision has reportedly unsettled the Presidency, prompting a quiet reprimand from the NSA board chairman.
However, Bawa’s ability to push through with the move, despite these reservations, appears to be bolstered by his influential connections within government.
The ramifications of these transfers extend far beyond personal grievances.
They raise fundamental concerns about the governance of the NSA, particularly in relation to its capacity to manage Ghana’s sports infrastructure with transparency and integrity.
As these internal power struggles come to light, it becomes clear that the issues at play are as much about political maneuvering as they are about the effective stewardship of the country’s sporting resources.
