Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong: 5 things to know about new Acting NSA boss

Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong has been appointed Acting Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), following the removal of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah from the position. The appointment brings to the Authority an academic and sports administrator with more than two decades of experience in education, exercise science and sports administration. Here are five things to know about the new Acting NSA boss. 1. He is an Associate Professor at UEW Professor Sarpong is an Associate Professor at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), where he currently serves as Dean of Students Affairs. NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah sacked He began his career at UEW as a teaching assistant and later served as a lecturer and senior lecturer before becoming an Associate Professor in Exercise and Sports Science in 2022. He has also served as Chairman of the UEW Sports Directorate. 2. He is a trained exercise scientist and sports professional Professor Sarpong is a professional teacher, exercise scientist, certified football coach and certified physical fitness instructor. His academic and professional background is largely centred on physical education, sports science and exercise physiology. He holds a PhD in Human Kinetics, specialising in Sports and Exercise Physiology, from the University of Ilorin in Nigeria. He also holds an MSc from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a Bachelor of Education from UEW. 3. He has international sports and physical education experience Professor Sarpong’s work extends beyond Ghana’s education system. He is Ghana’s Ambassador to the International Trainers Course, a postgraduate programme linked to the Faculty of Sports Medicine at the University of Leipzig in Germany. He also serves as Coordinator for the West Africa Zone of the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Sports and Dance. These roles have given him experience in international sports training and physical education programmes. 4. He already has experience with the NSA Professor Sarpong is not new to the National Sports Authority. Before his appointment as Acting Director-General, he served on the Authority’s Governing Board as one of the representatives for persons in sports development. The Governing Board was dissolved by President John Dramani Mahama on September 2, 2026. His previous role means he already has some familiarity with the Authority’s structure and operations. 5. He takes over the NSA at a challenging time Professor Sarpong assumes temporary leadership of the NSA at a time when the Authority is facing scrutiny over sports infrastructure and stadium management. His appointment also follows controversy surrounding alleged visa facilitation arrangements linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which contributed to heightened attention on the Authority’s leadership. As Acting Director-General, Professor Sarpong will oversee an institution responsible for the development, management and maintenance of Ghana’s sporting facilities, as well as supporting sports programmes across the country. His combination of academic, sports-science and administrative experience will now be brought to bear as he takes temporary charge of the NSA. PAH/MA Meanwhile, watch as Ghanaians debate whether Carlos Queiroz’s sacking was the right decision Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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