National Sports Authority Boss must go!

The National Sports Authority (NSA) is a government agency responsible for the development and management of sports facilities in Ghana. As with any government agency, it is expected to be run efficiently and effectively, with the goal of promoting and supporting sports in the country.

However, in recent years, the NSA has been plagued by controversies and mismanagement under the leadership of Prof Peter Twumasi. Despite calls for his removal, he remains in office, causing embarrassment to the government and raising questions about accountability and competence.

One of the main reasons why Prof Twumasi's tenure as the Director General of the NSA has been marred by controversy is due to financial irregularities and allegations of corruption. According to a report by the Auditor General's Department, the NSA failed to account for over GH¢3 million in 2019, which was meant for the renovation of the Accra Sports Stadium.

This amount was disbursed to the NSA by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, but there was no evidence of how it was used. This raises serious questions about the transparency and accountability of the NSA under Prof Twumasi's leadership.

Furthermore, there have been reports of inflated contracts and misappropriation of funds within the NSA. For instance, in 2018, the NSA awarded a contract for the construction of an artificial turf at the El Wak Stadium at a cost of GH¢1.5 million, however, investigations revealed that the actual cost of the project was only GH¢800,000. This raises concerns about the procurement processes within the NSA and the possibility of kickbacks and embezzlement of funds.

Another issue that has raised eyebrows is the misuse of official vehicles by Prof Twumasi and his team. In 2019, it was reported that the Director General had acquired a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser for his personal use, even though there were already several vehicles at his disposal. This sparked outrage among Ghanaians, who questioned the need for such an expensive vehicle when there were more pressing issues to address in the sports sector.

Moreover, there have been reports of missing official vehicles from the NSA's fleet. The most notable incident was the disappearance of a brand-new pickup truck assigned to Prof Twumasi. The vehicle was parked at a hotel in Kumasi, but it mysteriously went missing and was never recovered. This has raised suspicions about the involvement of NSA officials in the theft of government property.

One of the core responsibilities of the NSA is to ensure that sports facilities in Ghana are well-maintained and fit for purpose. However, under Prof Twumasi's leadership, this has not been the case. Many of the national stadiums and sports complexes are in a state of disrepair, with inadequate maintenance and lack of proper equipment. This has led to a decline in the quality of sporting events held in these facilities and has also affected the development of young athletes.

In addition to failing to account for funds, the NSA has also been accused of obstructing investigations into their activities. In 2019, the Auditor General's Department requested documents from the NSA to conduct an audit, but the agency refused to cooperate. This is a blatant disregard for accountability and transparency, and it raises suspicions about what the NSA is trying to hide.

In 2019, it was reported that the NSA had entered a controversial deal with a private company for the installation of solar panels at the Accra Sports Stadium. The deal was worth over GH¢5 million, but there were concerns about the procurement process and whether the NSA had followed due process. This deal was eventually cancelled after public outcry.

Another issue that has been raised by stakeholders in the sports sector is the lack of communication and consultation by the NSA. Many sports associations federations have complained about the lack of support and guidance from the NSA, which has hindered their ability to develop and promote their respective sports. This lack of communication and collaboration has led to a breakdown in trust between the NSA and other stakeholders in the sports sector.

The consequences of the mismanagement and controversies surrounding Prof Twumasi and the NSA have had a significant impact on sports development in Ghana. The neglect of sports facilities has affected the quality of sporting events and has also hindered the development of young athletes.

Despite the numerous controversies and mismanagement under Prof Twimasi's leadership, he remains in office, causing embarrassment to the government and raising questions about accountability and competence. There have been several calls for his removal, including the various sports associations, but no action has been taken by the government. This has led to frustration and disappointment among Ghanaians, who feel that the government is not taking the issue seriously and is condoning the mismanagement and corruption within the NSA.

In conclusion, the National Sports Authority under the leadership of Prof Peter Twimasi has been plagued by controversies and mismanagement, which has had a negative impact on sports development in Ghana. The lack of accountability and transparency, coupled with allegations of corruption and nepotism, has eroded trust in the agency and has hindered its ability to fulfill its mandate. It is imperative that the government takes decisive action to address these issues and ensure that the NSA is run efficiently and effectively for the benefit of all Ghanaians and therefore if the Director of the National Sports Authority is not sacked from office, then nobody deserves to be sacked again in this country again.

(The writer is a journalists based in Sunyani)