The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has opened investigations into suspected corruption involving contracts awarded by the National Sports Authority (NSA) and alleged financial irregularities surrounding Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement, the OSP said it had received petitions alleging abuse of public office in the selection and accreditation of sponsorship beneficiaries, visa facilitation, payments by prospective travellers and the management of sponsorship proceeds.
The investigation will also examine the allocation of travel opportunities and claims that some competition winners were excluded from final beneficiary lists submitted to foreign diplomatic missions.
The investigations come amid growing controversy over Ghana’s World Cup travel arrangements, which has triggered a presidential probe, a police investigation and the suspension of NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.
President John Dramani Mahama on October 1, 2026, suspended Mr Ampofo Ankrah pending a Criminal Investigations Department (CID) investigation into allegations that money was collected from prospective travellers seeking assistance with visa and travel arrangements for the tournament.
The issue has also drawn criticism from the Minority in Parliament, which has questioned the roles of the NSA, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Sports and Recreation and private entity TRIBE Culture Fest.
The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has alleged discrepancies in the lists submitted to foreign diplomatic missions. He claims that although 102 people were presented as NSA personnel, only 15 could be verified as employees of the Authority.
The Minority has also questioned reports that prospective travellers paid between 7,000 and 14,000 dollars and called for a wider investigation into the institutions and individuals involved.
President Mahama has since established a committee to investigate the alleged irregularities. However, Mr Assafuah has questioned its independence and composition, arguing that an independent commission of inquiry would be more appropriate.
The OSP says it will announce any further investigative action in line with its disclosure policy.
It has stressed that the commencement of an investigation does not imply wrongdoing, adding that all persons and institutions involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
