The official handover, which included key documents, sporting kits, and assets used during the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, took place during a brief but symbolic ceremony on Tuesday morning at the Olympic House in Ridge, Accra.

In his address, Mr. Nunoo Mensah urged the new leadership to build on the foundations laid during his tenure, emphasizing the need to continue important projects such as the OlympiAfrica initiative in Amasaman.

He congratulated Mr. Akpokavie and his team, offering them his best wishes for a successful term.

As part of the transition, outgoing Treasurer Mr. Frederick Acheampong also transferred all financial records and assets to the newly elected Treasurer, Mr. Evans Yeboah.

In his remarks, Mr. Akpokavie expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and pledged to preserve and enhance the legacy of his predecessor. He called for unity and collaboration among the GOC Board, sports federations, and the media to elevate Ghanaian sports.

New Secretary General Mr. Mohammed Muniru also acknowledged the contributions of Mr. Nunoo Mensah and his administration.

He assured stakeholders that the GOC remains open to advice and continued input from former executives to further strengthen sports development in the country.

The event was attended by several notable GOC officials, including Mr. Isaac Duah (former Assistant Treasurer), Mr. Mawuko Afadzinu (1st Vice President), Mr. Ernest Danso (3rd Vice President), Mr. Baba Fuseini (Deputy Secretary General), Mr. Nii Lante Bannerman (Assistant Treasurer), and Mr. Kamal Sulley (new Board Member).

Addo, 47, has faced significant criticism after the national team failed to secure a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Morocco next year.

Under Addo’s leadership, the Black Stars ended up at the bottom of Group F, recording three draws and earning just three points from their qualifiers.

Following a lengthy meeting last week to review Addo’s performance, the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) Executive Council has yet to make a decision on his future, despite widespread calls for his removal.

Responding to the team’s disappointing performance, Mr Nunoo Mensah, who was recently honoured as Nɔyaa Mantsɛ (Development Chief) of the Ga State for his significant contributions to sports and national growth, voiced his concerns, emphasising that Addo’s failure to qualify for AFCON demonstrated a lack of competence to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

“I have not been convinced about Otto Addo’s coaching prowess, especially against Niger,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

“In crucial games, the matches are being won by the coaches and judging by the games we have played in the AFCON and what I expected from him, I don’t think he is competently good enough to qualify Ghana for the 2026 World Cup,” he added.

Ghana, who sit 2nd in Group I will resume their global showpiece qualifiers with games against Chad and Madagascar in March 2025.

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The 47-year-old coach has faced severe criticism following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

The Black Stars’ poor showing in the qualifiers, where they ended with three draws and three losses in six matches, placed them at the bottom of Group F with only three points.

This result marks the first time in 20 years that Ghana, a four-time AFCON champion, will not participate in the tournament set to take place in Morocco next year.

In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Nunoo Mensah stated that accountability is crucial in light of the team’s failure and supported the public’s demand for Addo’s removal.

“Ghanaians have every right to call for the sack of the coach,” he said.

“I believe that somebody must take responsibility for Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the AFCON tournament. For failing to win a single game in the qualifiers and also failing to qualify for is a total embarrassment,” he added.

The Black Stars are now looking to regroup and improve their performance as they prepare to face Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers scheduled for March 2025.

Meanwhile, Otto Addo’s future remains uncertain.

The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is yet to make a final decision after holding an extensive meeting last week to review his technical reports following the team’s disappointing campaign.

READ ALSO

• Otto Addo is not competent enough to qualify Ghana for 2026 World Cup – GOC President
• I would have collapsed GFA if I am Sports Minister – Nii Lante Vanderpuye

The senior national football team has faced intense backlash following their disappointing campaign in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The Black Stars ended their campaign at the bottom of Group F with just three points after six matches, recording three draws and three losses.

This failure marks a historic low for the team, as Ghana will miss the AFCON tournament for the first time in 20 years.

Addressing the team’s underwhelming performance, Nunoo Mensah highlighted issues with the players’ dedication, particularly among those who switched nationality to represent Ghana.

He suggested that some players do not fully grasp the significance of wearing the national jersey.

“I don’t see the national attachment of these players, and it is because they have been brought from different places. They don’t understand the jersey they are wearing,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

“These players we currently have lack commitment, and I believe that we have to go back to the basics to fix these problems,” he added.

The Black Stars will have an opportunity to redeem themselves in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where they are set to face Chad and Madagascar in March 2025.

Meanwhile, uncertainty looms over the future of head coach Otto Addo, as the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council has yet to make a decision regarding his role.

READ ALSO

• Ghanaians are right to call for Otto Addo’s dismissal after AFCON qualifier failure – GOC President
• Otto Addo is not competent enough to qualify Ghana for 2026 World Cup – GOC President

Mr. Mensah’s apology follows accusations leveled against Mr. Deen, by a staff of the GOC, Mohammed Shaban.

In an interview with Asempa FM on the Ultimate Sports Show, Mensah acknowledged being made aware of Shaban’s inappropriate behaviour, even within the confines of the GOC.

“I want to apologize to NPC boss, Samson Deen. I must say that I am not aware of these happenings but I have been informed about Mohammed Shaban’s behaviour even at GOC,” he stated.

Mr Nunoo Mensah further noted that Shaban’s conduct had been addressed internally at the GOC, emphasizing, “He sometimes shows up and exhibits poor behaviour at the office of GOC which we are dealing with but I am not aware he has been using his office to undermine the NPC boss.”

Assuring Deen, Mensah pledged to handle the issue appropriately.

“I want to assure Samson Deen that this issue will be dealt with well. We are all one family and it will be unfair to undermine anyone,” he added.

Mensah beat his sole competitor, Richard Akpokavie Esq, in the presidential race by seven votes to retain his position.

Mensah, a former Ghana Weightlifting Federation president secured 35 votes while Akpokavie received 28 votes from the total valid votes cast.

Mensah also saw his close allies win the positions they contested for.

President of Ghana Volleyball Paul Atchoe retained his position as the GOC first vice president with 37 votes beating Ghana Table Tennis Association president Mawuko Afadzinu who had 26 votes.

Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council member Frederick Acheampong has been elected as Treasurer.

For the General Secretary position, Mohammed Sahnoon won with 41 votes ahead of Richmond Quarcoo, who received had 22 votes.

SWAG General Secretary Charles Osei Assibey lost to Mohammed Mahadi in the race for the 3rd Vice president position.

See full elections results below:

PRESIDENT

1.Richard Akpokavie Esq – Hockey 28

2.Ben Nunoo Mensah – Weightlifting 35*

1ST VICE

Mawuko Afadzinu – Table Tennis 26

Paul Atchoe – Volleyball 37*

2ND VICE

Evans Yeboah – Badminton 12

Frederick Otu Lartey – Taekwondo 51*

3RD VICE

Charles Osei Asibey – Armwrestling 23

Mohammed Mahadi – Fencing 40*

SECRETARY GENERAL

Richmond Quarcoo – Squash 22

Mohammed Sahnoon Esq – Cycling 41*

Deputy Secretary General

Hon. Ahmed Shaib – Weightlifting 44 *

Bawa Fuseini – Triathlon 19

TREASURER

Frederick Acheampong – Football 41*

Christopher Essilfie – Olympian 22

DEPUTY TREASURER

Isaac Aboagye Duah – Tennis 41*

Christopher Darko – Amankrah – Athletics 22

Five Representatives elected from National Federation’s affiliates to the International Federations recognized by the IOC and whose sports are included in the Olympic programme :

Michael Aggrey – Golf

George Okoe Lamptey – Amateur Boxing

Albert Frimpong – Baseball

Emmanuel Tetteh – Judo

Delphina Quaye – Swimming

One elected member from a non Olympic sports federation

Abdul Hayye – Bodybuilding (unopposed)

*One elected member from a National Federation affiliated to the GOC :

Samuel Ayer – SESSA 27

Dr.Bella Bello Bitugo – GUSA 36*

*Three other members elected by Congress :

Rev. Emmanuel Dzani Nikoi – Netball

Michael Nkow Ayeh – GES

Emmanuel O. Asare – Cricket

From Sammy Heywood Okine