A group calling itself Concerned Ghana Swim Parents has called on the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the National Sports Authority (NSA) to investigate and sanction the erstwhile executives of the Ghana Swimming Association (GSA) for alleged defiance of lawful authority, financial opacity, and sustained governance failures.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the parents accused the former GSA leadership of proceeding with a prohibited online election and travelling to an international swim meet in Algeria without authorisation, in direct violation of directives from both the NSA and the Ministry.
“Their subsequent social media posts — projecting an air of impunity — constitute an open challenge to the NSA, the Ministry of Sports & Recreation, and to every parent, swimmer, and stakeholder in Ghana swimming,” the statement read.
The group disclosed that the NSA had withdrawn recognition of the GSA and its executives on documented grounds of governance failure and non-compliance. The Ministry had also issued a notice stating that the Government of Ghana does not permit the erstwhile executives to represent the country at any event.
Additionally, a court injunction was served on the executives prohibiting them from conducting an illegal online election.
Despite these directives, the former GSA executives proceeded with the election and travelled to Algeria, the parents alleged.
Pattern of governance failure
The Concerned Ghana Swim Parents further accused the former leadership of operating with opacity and self-interest over several years.
According to the statement, parents were routinely excluded from travel arrangements for their own children, receiving no itineraries or advance notice, and were told to present their children at the airport on a need-to-know basis.
“Parents who dared raise concerns faced thinly veiled threats that their child’s selection was at risk. The message was unambiguous: comply, or your child suffers the consequences,” the group stated.
They added that many parents and even some coaches fear airing their grievances for fear of their child being penalised or discriminated against.
Call for financial audit
The parents also called for a full, independently verified audit of the GSA’s income and expenditure, with findings made available to all stakeholders.
“The GSA regularly publicises sponsorships and investments in Ghana swimming. The reality experienced by families is starkly different. On numerous occasions, costs publicly attributed to the GSA were in fact borne — in whole or in part — by the individual families of competing swimmers, with no transparency or explanation,” the statement said.
Urgent action demanded
The group noted that the current competition calendar is exceptionally tight, with many swimmers having spent years preparing for meets within the season.
“Every week of governance uncertainty is a week of lost preparation, diverted focus, and financial investment made under conditions of instability,” they said.
They expressed concern about the impact of the situation on scholarships, international qualifications, and the mental wellbeing of athletes, and called for a transitional governance arrangement to be established with sufficient urgency.
Demands
The Concerned Ghana Swim Parents made the following demands:
i. Immediate investigation and sanction of the erstwhile GSA executives’ unauthorised participation at the Algeria meet;
ii. Full enforcement of the non-recognition of the GSA and its executives;
iii. A full and independent audit of the GSA’s financial records;
iv. Establishment of a transparent and accountable governance structure including representation of clubs, parents and athletes;
v. Immediate establishment of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to ensure new governance arrangements are in place for the current competition season.
The parents acknowledged that the NSA has assured stakeholders that consultations will continue and a roadmap will be communicated.
“The true measure, however, will not be the promises made in meetings, but whether meaningful action follows within acceptable timescales,” the statement concluded.
“The era of impunity within the GSA must end. Enough is enough.”
