Sports and recreation in Ghana have suffered severe mismanagement over the past decade, with the worst decline occurring under the previous administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, according to a statement from Ghana Sports.

The statement, signed by Suleman Mohammed-Mustapha, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) outlines a series of failures that have tarnished Ghana’s sporting image internationally, attributing much of the decline to the National Sports Authority (NSA), which is responsible for talent development, facility maintenance, and sports administration.

According to the report, some of the most damaging incidents in Ghana’s sports sector over the last decade include:

Lack of School Sports Competitions – Since 2019, no inter-regional sports festivals have been organized for basic and second-cycle schools. Challenges in Disability Sports – Ghana’s disabled athletes struggled to secure funding for international competitions. Poor Treatment of Female Footballers – Women’s national team players had to stage demonstrations before receiving their bonuses. Unsafe Travel for Athletes – Ghanaian table tennis players for the All-African Games were forced to travel in the bucket of a pick-up truck. Lack of Medical Support – Cyclists competing in national races had to wait on their bicycles for over 30 minutes before an ambulance was made available for their escort. Inadequate Equipment – Athletes were given wrong footwear sizes, with some receiving size 36 instead of 41. Outdated Bicycles – Ghanaian cyclists competed with aluminium-made bicycles instead of the modern fibre-glass models used internationally. Infrastructure Failures – The Cape Coast Stadium suffered power outages during competitions, disrupting matches. CAF Sanctions – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned Ghana from hosting AFCON qualifiers due to substandard pitches. Historic AFCON Failure – Ghana failed to qualify for the 2026 African Cup of Nations, marking the first such failure in over 20 years. Black Stars' Poor Performance – The Black Stars were eliminated at the group stage of the 2024 AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire, further tarnishing Ghana’s football reputation.

Sports Ghana attributes these failures to poor leadership at the National Sports Authority (NSA), which saw three Director- Generals within the past eight years.

The last person to hold the position, Seth Panwum, served as Board Chairman before taking over as Acting Director-General following the dismissal of Mr. Dodzie Numekevor in September 2024.

A survey conducted by Sports Ghana revealed that past NSA Directors lacked expertise in sports management, leading to the mismanagement of resources, talent, and infrastructure.

The organization is now calling for technically trained sports professionals to lead the NSA and restore Ghana’s lost sporting glory.

With the dissolution of all government boards under the NDC administration, the National Sports Authority currently has no Director-General.

Sports Ghana is urging President John Dramani Mahama’s government to appoint a qualified sports technocrat to take charge of the NSA and spearhead reforms.

The statement concludes with a plea for urgent action, emphasizing that only competent leadership can revive Ghana’s sports sector and restore the country’s prestige on the international stage.