Heads roll at Sports Ministry

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has been hit again by another ministerial reshuffle for what could apparently be linked to events which led to Ghana’s botched World Cup campaign in Brazil.

It is still not clear what might have compelled President John Mahama to axe the Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, and his deputy, Joseph Yammin, especially on the heels of the Black Stars’ unimpressive outing for the Brazil 2014 World Cup, for which the president has called for an inquiry. 

Ghana’s campaign was overshadowed by incidents such as player agitations over delayed payments of appearance fees and complaints about poor organisation of travel arrangements for hundreds of supporters sponsored to Brazil under the supervision of the ministry.

Last Saturday, the Presidency announced the appointment of Information and Media Relations Minister, Mahama Ayariga, as the new Minister of Youth and Sports, with Mr Afriyie Ankrah being reassigned to the Presidency. Mr Yammin was reassigned as the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister in a swapping of roles which saw the incumbent Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister,  Joseph Alexander Ackon, taking over as the new Deputy Sports Minister. 

The Sports Ministry has undergone many ministerial reshuffles in the last five years since the resignation of Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, who was first appointed Minister in 2009 by former President J.E.A. Mills.

Alhaji Muntaka was replaced after a few months in office by Alhaji Rashid Pelpuo, who handed over to Akua Sena Dansua in 2010. Ms Dansua was subsequently replaced by Clement Kofi Humado.

Last year, President Mahama assigned Mr Humado to the Ministry of Agriculture and appointed Mr Afriyie Ankrah as Sports Minister until last Saturday’s reshuffle.