President John Dramani Mahama has sacked National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah after controversy over an alleged visa facilitation scheme linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ampofo Ankrah’s removal comes weeks after allegations emerged that individuals seeking to travel to the World Cup were charged substantial sums for assistance with visa and travel arrangements.
The controversy prompted calls from the Minority in Parliament for the NSA boss to be dismissed or suspended while investigations into the matter continued. The Minority alleged that more than US$600,000 had been collected through the arrangement, with some applicants reportedly charged as much as US$8,000.
The allegations also reportedly led to questioning by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), with the Minority arguing that Ampofo Ankrah should not remain in office while investigations were ongoing.
The NSA, however, denied authorising any visa facilitation service or the collection of money from members of the public in connection with the World Cup. The Authority said its legal team was cooperating with the police investigation.
Ampofo Ankrah’s dismissal therefore comes against the backdrop of an unresolved controversy that has placed the NSA under scrutiny over its alleged involvement in the visa arrangement.
The development also comes less than a month after President Mahama dissolved the governing board of the NSA with immediate effect on September 2. Ampofo Ankrah was among the members of the dissolved board in his capacity as Director-General.
