BNI INVESTIGATES SUSPENDED NSA BOSS OVER ALLEGED $623,000 WORLD CUP VISA SCHEME

Ghana's Bureau of National Investigations is investigating suspended National Sports Authority Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah over an alleged visa facilitation arrangement involving people seeking to travel for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The investigation centres on allegations that more than $600,000 was collected from prospective travellers for assistance with visa and travel arrangements connected to the tournament.

MyJoyOnline reported Thursday that the amount under scrutiny is approximately $623,000, while the Minority in Parliament has alleged that some individuals were charged as much as $8,000.

Ampofo Ankrah and other NSA officials have been questioned by security authorities as investigators seek to establish what happened to the money, who was responsible for collecting it and whether any public institution authorised the arrangement.

No court or investigative authority has established the allegations as fact.

NSA DENIES AUTHORISING VISA OR MONEY COLLECTION SCHEME

The National Sports Authority has issued a categorical denial that it established or authorised an operation to collect money from prospective World Cup travellers.

In a statement issued in September, the NSA said it had neither established nor authorised an office at the stadium to collect money or facilitate visas.

The Authority also clarified its relationship with TRIBE FEST, which it described as a FIFA licensed partner involved in fan experience activities, World Cup viewing events and mobilisation.

According to the NSA, that collaboration did not authorise TRIBE FEST, any NSA employee or any other person to collect money to procure visas on behalf of the Authority.

The NSA said its legal team would cooperate with investigators and that its Director General and other officials would make themselves available when required.

That denial is central to the investigation because one of the key questions is whether anyone collecting money was acting with legitimate authority from the state institution.

AMPOFO ANKRAH HAS DENIED WRONGDOING

Ampofo Ankrah has also denied wrongdoing in connection with the allegations.

He previously appeared before investigators after a petition concerning the alleged transactions was submitted to the Criminal Investigations Department.

The NSA subsequently said its legal team was cooperating with the investigation and disputed reports it considered inaccurate about its Director General's involvement.

The current BNI investigation does not amount to a determination that Ampofo Ankrah committed an offence.

Investigators will have to establish whether money was collected as alleged, identify the individuals or organisations responsible and determine whether any criminal or administrative violations occurred.

PRESIDENT SUSPENDS NSA DIRECTOR GENERAL

The investigation coincides with a major change at the leadership of the National Sports Authority.

President John Dramani Mahama has directed that Ampofo Ankrah be suspended from his duties with immediate effect pending completion of the CID investigation.

A Presidency letter dated October 1 specifically states that the suspension is an administrative measure and does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing against him.

Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, National Coordinator of the School and Grassroots Sports Secretariat at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, has been appointed Acting Director General of the NSA during the suspension.

This distinction is important because some initial reports described Ampofo Ankrah as having been dismissed or removed permanently. The Presidency communication reported by MyJoyOnline describes the action as a suspension pending the outcome of the investigation.

WHERE THE $623,000 FIGURE COMES FROM

The amount at the centre of the controversy originates from allegations contained in a petition concerning World Cup visa transactions.

The Minority has publicly cited allegations that more than $600,000 was collected from prospective travellers and says some applicants were charged up to $8,000 each.

Those figures remain allegations rather than independently established losses.

Investigators will therefore need to determine the number of people who made payments, the amounts involved, who received those payments and what services were promised in return.

Establishing a documented financial trail will be critical to determining whether the reported $623,000 accurately represents money collected under the alleged arrangement.

WORLD CUP TRAVEL DOES NOT GUARANTEE A US VISA

The controversy also highlights an important distinction between World Cup travel services and United States immigration procedures.

Participation in a fan programme, possession of a World Cup ticket or association with a sporting organisation does not by itself amount to the granting of a United States visa.

Visa decisions remain within the authority of the relevant United States government institutions.

That distinction will be relevant as investigators examine precisely what prospective travellers were allegedly promised when payments were made.

WHY THE INVESTIGATION MATTERS

Beyond the individuals involved, the investigation raises broader questions about the controls surrounding travel programmes associated with major international sporting events.

Ghanaian supporters regularly travel internationally to follow the Black Stars, and large tournaments can create demand for tickets, accommodation, transportation and immigration assistance.

That environment can also create opportunities for unauthorised individuals or organisations to market services to prospective travellers.

Establishing whether the alleged World Cup arrangement had any legitimate institutional approval will therefore be an important part of determining responsibility.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The investigation remains active.

Security authorities are expected to continue examining documents, financial transactions and accounts from people connected to the alleged arrangement.

Ampofo Ankrah and other NSA officials may also be required to provide additional information as investigators attempt to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported payments.

Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong will meanwhile oversee the National Sports Authority while the investigation continues.

Any eventual determination of criminal wrongdoing would require evidence established through the appropriate investigative and judicial processes.

Until then, the reported $623,000 collection, the alleged $8,000 payments and claims concerning individual responsibility remain allegations under investigation.

VNTV will update this report when the BNI, Ghana Police Service, Presidency or National Sports Authority releases additional verified information.