President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has dismissed Dodzie Numekevor, the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) withdrawal of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium’s license to host international matches. According to reports from JoySports, the President's decision was driven by concerns over the mismanagement of the facility ahead of key football events.
The Key Incident: License Revoked by CAF
CAF's decision to revoke the Baba Yara Stadium’s license came as a major setback for Ghana, especially as the country was preparing to host a critical 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Angola. The revocation was based on the deteriorating condition of the stadium’s pitch, a factor that CAF deemed unsuitable for international matches.
Adding to the controversy, it was revealed that the stadium had been rented out for a six-day church program shortly before the AFCON qualifier, further affecting the state of the facility. This decision to rent out the venue drew widespread criticism and contributed to the heightened scrutiny of the NSA’s leadership.
The President's Reaction and Decision
Reports suggest that President Akufo-Addo expressed dissatisfaction with the way the stadium had been managed and took immediate action. On Monday, he instructed the dismissal of key individuals involved in the stadium’s rental, holding them accountable for compromising the country's preparation for international matches.
President Akufo-Addo also reportedly directed the Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, to ensure that Ghana does not play any of its home games outside the country due to the unavailability of the stadium. The President emphasized that if the Black Stars were forced to play outside of Ghana, the Sports Minister would be held responsible.
Numekevor's Dismissal and Query
In the wake of the incident, the Sports Ministry, through its Chief Director, William Kartay Caesar, issued a formal query to Numekevor, asking him to explain why he should not be penalized for the stadium’s mismanagement and the subsequent embarrassment caused to the President and the country.
Numekevor was given until Wednesday, September 18, 2024, to respond to the query. However, before he could submit his explanation, President Akufo-Addo relieved him of his duties on Tuesday, citing dissatisfaction with the overall state of sports infrastructure under his leadership.
Issues With Ghana’s Sports Facilities
Before his dismissal, Numekevor had ordered the closure of several key sports facilities, including the Baba Yara, Accra, and Cape Coast stadiums, for maintenance. These closures were part of efforts to address growing concerns about the poor condition of these venues. CAF had recommended the reconstruction of the Baba Yara Stadium pitch and raised concerns about the state of the Accra and Cape Coast Sports Stadiums in a letter to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on September 10.
Impact on Upcoming Matches
Due to the suspension of Baba Yara’s license, the GFA has been instructed to choose an approved venue outside Ghana to host Sudan for the upcoming AFCON qualifier. Togo has emerged as a potential option if Ghana is unable to secure a suitable facility to host the match on home soil.
Leadership Transition at the NSA
Dodzie Numekevor had served as the interim Director General of the NSA since February 26, 2024, after taking over from Professor Peter Twumasi, who held the position for six years. Numekevor’s tenure, although brief, saw increased attention to the condition of Ghana’s sports infrastructure, but the recent incident has cast a shadow over his leadership.
With his dismissal, the NSA will now need to find a new leader capable of addressing the challenges facing the country's sports facilities and ensuring that Ghana is able to meet international standards moving forward.
This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper sports facility management, particularly as Ghana continues to host major international events. The future of the country’s sports infrastructure now hinges on the ability of its leadership to make necessary improvements and avoid further setbacks.
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