Accra, Oct. 2, The legal representatives of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General, Mr Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, have challenged reports that their client has been sacked, insisting that no dismissal letter, termination notice or formal communication ending his appointment has been received by him or his lawyers.
The development has triggered conflicting accounts across sections of the Ghanaian media, with some reports announcing that Mr Ampofo Ankrah had been dismissed or removed from office, while others described him as having been suspended pending investigations.
In a strongly worded statement issued on behalf of Mr Ampofo Ankrah yesterday, his legal representatives called for accuracy and restraint in reporting the matter, stressing that a suspension and a dismissal were not the same administrative or legal action.
They said their client remained respectful of the authority of the President and all lawful state processes and would respond appropriately to any official communication formally served on him.
The statement followed reports linking Mr Ampofo Ankrah’s status to allegations surrounding the issuance of United States World Cup visas.
The legal team, however, said Mr Ampofo Ankrah denied any involvement in visa racketeering and challenged anyone alleging that he was involved in wrongdoing to produce evidence to substantiate the claim.
According to the statement, MyJoyOnline initially reported that Mr Ampofo Ankrah had been “sacked as NSA Director-General” before subsequently describing him as suspended pending CID investigations.
Citi Newsroom also initially reported that he had been sacked before later referring to him as the suspended NSA Director-General, quoting his lawyer, Mr Jerry Avenorgbor.
Similar variations appeared in reports by 3News, Pulse Ghana, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and Graphic Online, which variously used the descriptions “sacked”, “relieved of his duties”, “asked to step down” and “suspended”.
AdomOnline and ModernGhana, meanwhile, reported that the NSA Director-General had been suspended in connection with the ongoing allegations and investigations.
The legal representatives said the conflicting descriptions had created uncertainty over their client’s actual employment status and could potentially cause unnecessary damage to his professional reputation.
They consequently appealed to media houses, journalists, commentators and the general public to distinguish carefully between suspension, removal and dismissal, and to rely on official documentation before presenting any of those positions as fact.
The statement emphasised that the clarification was not intended to challenge the lawful authority of the President or any institution of state.
Rather, it was intended to protect the principles of fairness, due process and responsible journalism in a matter with potentially serious implications for Mr Ampofo Ankrah’s professional standing.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah, the statement said, remained ready to cooperate with any legitimate investigation and would allow the appropriate institutions to establish the facts.
His lawyers also cautioned against publications that could portray allegations as proven wrongdoing before the relevant processes had been concluded.
They said their client and his legal representatives reserved all rights in respect of any publication they considered false, misleading, defamatory or prejudicial to his reputation.
For now, the legal team maintains that until a formal communication is received confirming otherwise, reports categorically declaring Mr Ampofo Ankrah dismissed should be treated with caution.
