President John Dramani Mahama has suspended National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah following allegations surrounding the processing of visas for Ghanaians seeking to travel to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The suspension comes weeks after claims emerged that about US$623,000 was received from prospective travellers seeking assistance with visa and travel arrangements for the tournament.
Some applicants were reportedly charged as much as US$8,000.
The allegations prompted an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, with Mr Ampofo Ankrah and other individuals connected to the matter questioned by investigators.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah appeared before the CID last week and denied the allegations against him.
The controversy also led to calls from the Minority in Parliament for the NSA director-general to be removed or suspended while the police investigation was ongoing.
The investigation is expected to establish whether money was collected from prospective travellers, who received the funds, what representations were made to those who paid, and whether any public officials or institutions were involved.
The NSA has denied authorising any visa facilitation service or the collection of money from members of the public in connection with the World Cup.
The Authority has said its legal team is cooperating with the police investigation.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah’s suspension therefore comes as the allegations remain unresolved and the NSA faces scrutiny over its alleged involvement in the visa arrangements.
The development follows President Mahama’s decision on 2 September to dissolve the governing board of the NSA as part of wider changes affecting several state institutions. A new board is expected to be constituted.
Meanwhile, Director of School Sports Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong has been appointed Acting Director-General of the National Sports Authority.
The 2026 World Cup will be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Source: Adom Sports
