Robert Sarfo Mensah, National Sports Authority boss
National Sports Authority boss, Robert Sarfo Mensah says he has accepted sanction by President Akufo-Addo in good faith.
The suspension of the acting Director General of National Sports Authority is in connection with the deportation of 60 persons purported to be journalists who were to accompany a contingent of Ghanaian athletes to cover their participation in ongoing Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Commenting on the matter in an interview with Joy News’ Evans Mensah, on Thursday, the acting Director General of NSA observed that he has accepted the suspension in connection with the alleged visa fraud.
“I have not officially received any letter to that effect, but I received a call from President Akufo-Addo and I respect his authority and decision; so I accept his sanction,” he said.
Quizzed on whether he had any hopes of being called back to his job soon, Mr. Sarfo Mensah maintained that he “believes he is innocent”, so after the entire investigation, he’s optimistic that he will be vindicated.
“I have not done anything untoward, so I believe I’m innocent. Let’s allow the appropriate authorities to probe and unravel the truth,” he added.
The suspension of Mr. Sarfo Mensah which takes immediate effect is in reaction to the visa scandal which has rocked the country in the wake of the Commonwealth games currently underway in Australia.
A statement from the presidency Thursday, and signed by the Director of Communications at the presidency Eugene Arhin says the decision was taken after preliminary investigations into how some 60 persons were arrested for attempting to enter Australia under false pretences in the ongoing 21st Commonwealth games.
The statement further states that Board Chair of the NSA, Kwadwo Baah Agyemang and the Chef-de maison for the Commonwealth, Mr Mohammed Sahnoon have also been recalled from the games village to assist in investigations.
At least 60 persons who claimed to be journalists and were in Australia to cover the Commonwealth games were arrested and repatriated for bearing false identities.
It is not yet clear, how the suspects obtained visas to travel out of the country.
Reports suggest some officials from the National Sports Authority as well as the ministry facilitated the fraudulent visa acquisitions for the 60 persons.