The National Sports Authority (NSA) is expected to embark on a major recruitment exercise to address more than 450 staff shortages across the country once it receives financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance.

Officials say the planned recruitment will help strengthen the Authority’s operational capacity as it works to improve the management and development of sports nationwide.

Established under the Sports Act 2016 (Act 934), the NSA is mandated to promote sports development, manage national sporting facilities and provide technical support to sports associations and federations in line with government policy.

The anticipated recruitment follows recent public discussions surrounding the emergency hiring of 17 personnel by the Authority.

The individuals have since been directed by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to reapply through the appropriate public sector processes so that the Public Services Commission can regularise their appointments and ensure they receive proper conditions of service.

Sources indicate that several critical departments within the NSA are currently understaffed.

These include technical field roles such as coaches, grassroots sports development officers and researchers.

Other units reportedly facing shortages include estates management, security, information technology and marketing.

The Authority has also benefited from the introduction of an Operations Unit, which has helped coordinate and fast-track several activities during a period when the institution operated without a governing board throughout 2025.

Under the leadership of Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the NSA has undertaken a number of reforms, including the recovery of several misappropriated or undocumented assets belonging to the Authority.

Over the past year, the leadership says efforts have focused on strengthening infrastructure management, improving governance among sports federations, enhancing internally generated revenue, building stronger corporate partnerships and expanding international sports cooperation.

The proposed recruitment is expected to further support the Authority’s efforts to improve sports administration and development across Ghana