Minority calls for NSA DG Yaw Ampofo Ankrah to step aside over World Cup visa investigation

Ghana's Minority in Parliament has called for National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah to be dismissed or suspended while police investigate an alleged visa facilitation arrangement linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The opposition caucus says Ampofo Ankrah and some NSA staff have been reporting to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for questioning over claims that about US$600,000 was generated through the scheme, which it alleges was operated by a private company with support from the NSA.

Addressing journalists in Parliament on Thursday, Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee Vincent Ekow Assafuah said the NSA boss should step aside pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Minority alleges that some people were charged up to US$8,000 for assistance with travel arrangements, with promotional banners for the service displayed at NSA offices and around the stadium.

"We therefore call on the President to dismiss the Director-General of the National Sports Authority with immediate effect or, at the very least, require him to step aside pending the conclusion of the investigation," Assafuah said.

He also questioned why a private entity was allegedly allowed to operate from a state-owned sports facility to facilitate the transactions.

Despite its demands, the Minority said it was not seeking to prejudge the outcome of the investigation.

"We will not declare anyone guilty before the facts are established," Assafuah added.

The NSA has denied authorising any visa facilitation or money collection arrangement and says it will cooperate with any lawful police investigation.

The Minority has also questioned the travel of the driver and secretary of Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams to the United States for the World Cup, alleging that the pair have not yet returned to Ghana.