Ghana’s Minority in Parliament has called for the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, to be removed or step aside while police investigate an alleged 2026 FIFA World Cup visa facilitation scheme.
The caucus said it had received information suggesting some individuals were allegedly charged as much as $8,000 each for assistance with travel arrangements linked to the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The Minority also alleged that posters advertising visa acquisition services were displayed at NSA offices and around the stadium.
Addressing the media in Parliament, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, said Ampofo Ankrah should step aside pending the outcome of the investigation.
“There were clear banners of the Tribe Culture Fest dealing with visa acquisitions on behalf of the National Sports Authority, supported by the National Sports Authority,” the caucus said.
The opposition further questioned an estimated $600,000 it claimed was generated through the arrangement.
“The question is simple. Why was a private entity permitted to operate from a state sports facility to facilitate such transactions?” it said.
The Minority demanded answers over who authorised the arrangement, who received the money, what services were provided and what happened to people who allegedly paid but did not receive the promised services.
It also claimed that the NSA Director-General and some members of staff had been questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as part of the ongoing investigation.
While stressing that it was not seeking to prejudge the outcome of the inquiry, the caucus argued that the head of the NSA should not remain in office while investigations continue.
“We are not prejudging the outcome of the investigation, and we will not declare anyone guilty before the facts are established,” the Minority said.
It added: “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.”
Meanwhile, the National Sports Authority (NSA), in a statement, has denied any wrongdoing.
