Dodzie Numekevor sacked as National Sports Authority Director-General after six months in office

Dodzie Numekevor has been directed to hand over to the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Sports Authority after he was sacked as Director-General with only six months office.

He is in the contest for the Sege constituency Parliamentary seat and he has filed his nomination on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday directed that his appointment should be terminated.

A letter dated September 17, 2024 terminating his appointment did not give details of why he was being sacked.

The letter, a copy of which has been seen by Graphic Online, written by the Secretary to the President, Ambassador Nana Bediatuo Asante only stated that the President has directed that his appointment should be terminated and that he should hand over to Chairman of the Governing Board of the NSA.

Before taking over as Director-General of the NSA, the management of Ghana’s various stadiums had come under scrutiny as the pitches in the stadiums were in a bad state.

Ghana had to resort to the use of only the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi for international matches and just last week under the leadership of Dodzie Numekevor, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) withdrew its approval for the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, due to significant technical infractions, including an unsuitable playing field. 

The decision follows CAF’s inspection after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match between Ghana and Angola on September 5, 2024.

CAF identified several critical issues with the stadium, most notably the poor condition of the playing surface.

The field had deteriorated significantly, featuring uneven surfaces, poor drainage, and inadequate grass cover, rendering it unsuitable for competitive international matches.

These deficiencies were highlighted during the recent fixture, leading to CAF's decision to revoke the stadium's Category 3 status.

The Baba Yara Stadium, which holds over 40,000 spectators and has hosted numerous high-profile matches, including World Cup qualifiers and AFCON fixtures, no longer meets the standards required by CAF for international competition. In a statement, CAF expressed disappointment with the condition of the facility and urged Ghanaian authorities to invest in upgrades.

This means Ghana may not be able to host October's AFCON qualifying match with Sudan in Ghana and Ghana may have to resort to playing that game outside of Ghana.

• Related:
• What will happen if CAF declares all football stadiums in Ghana unfit for Afcon qualifiers? [VIDEO]
• Sports Ministry directs GFA to request CAF Inspection of Legon and Accra Stadia for Approval
• CAF withdraws approval for Baba Yara Stadium

Dodzie Numekevor started work at the NSA in March after Professor Peter Twumasi, the then Director-General was relieved of his duties as the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) under similar circumstances of not leading to put Ghana's already existing sports facilities in a better shape.

Mr. Dodzie Numekevor took over from Prof Twumasi in an acting position as Director-General and the appointment was later formalised.

He had previously worked as a Public Relations Officer of the Ghana High Commission in the United Kingdom (UK) and he had pledged to work with the staff for the National Sports Authority to help regain its past glory and was aiming at staying focused on the mandate that Ghanaians have entrusted in the care of the NSA.

TERMINATION OF OFFICE AND HANDING OVER

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.

Advertisement

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 17* September, 2024.

The President thanks you for your service to the nation and extends his best wishes.

AMB: NANA BEDIATUO ASANTE

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh 

Follow @enochfrimpong Follow @Graphicgh