NSA boss thrilled with his first ever World Cup at home experience

The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, joined staff and security officers at the Accra Sports Stadium last night to watch Ghana’s Black Stars in action, in what he described as a landmark moment in his personal football journey.

For Ampofo Ankrah, the viewing was particularly special. He revealed that despite Ghana’s appearances at the 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022 World Cups, he had never watched the Black Stars at a global tournament from home soil.

“Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Qatar 2022 – I never watched it in Ghana. I watched it in other countries. So this is the first time I’m watching Ghana Black Stars at a World Cup in Ghana,” Ampofo Ankrah said.

The Director General explained that he wanted to savour the experience of the first two matches before travelling to the United States. “I wanted to enjoy the first two matches before I travel to the USA. So basically that is it,” he added. “And also to get the experience with my staff and management and what have you.”

The gathering at the Accra Sports Stadium underscores the NSA’s commitment to fostering a sense of unity and shared experience among its staff as the nation rallies behind the Black Stars. Ampofo Ankrah, who previously served as a veteran sports journalist and founder of the Ghana Beach Soccer Association, has been a prominent voice in the lead-up to the tournament, consistently urging Ghanaians to throw their full support behind the national team.

Ghana, making their fifth World Cup appearance, have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. The Black Stars opened their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field and are set to face England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium. The nation will be hoping to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since their historic quarter-final run in 2010.

The NSA Director General’s decision to watch alongside his staff at the Accra Sports Stadium reflects the growing anticipation and national pride as Ghana prepares for its World Cup campaign on the global stage.