The National Sports Authority (NSA) is facing renewed scrutiny as Yaw Ampofo Ankrah steps aside as Director-General while law enforcement authorities investigate an alleged over US$600,000 visa facilitation scheme linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ampofo Ankrah was asked to leave his position on Thursday, October 1, 2026, bringing his tenure at the Authority to an end and also Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong has subsequently been appointed Acting Director-General.
The leadership change comes as investigations continue into allegations surrounding a visa facilitation arrangement involving the NSA and a private entity identified in reports as TRIBE FEST.
The allegations centre on claims that prospective travellers seeking to attend the 2026 World Cup were charged thousands of dollars for assistance with visa and travel arrangements. The Minority in Parliament said some individuals were allegedly charged as much as US$8,000, with the total amount involved estimated at more than US$600,000.
Questions have also been raised over promotional materials for the arrangement reportedly being displayed at NSA offices and around stadium facilities, leading the Minority to question how a private entity was allowed to operate from state-owned sports facilities.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has been handling the investigation, with Ampofo Ankrah and some NSA staff reportedly questioned in connection with the allegations.
The NSA, however, has denied authorising any visa facilitation or money-collection scheme
The Minority had subsequently called on President John Dramani Mahama to dismiss Ampofo Ankrah or require him to step aside while the investigation continued, while stressing that it was not declaring anyone guilty before the facts were established.
With Prof. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong now taking charge, the NSA enters a new phase as authorities continue to examine the allegations surrounding the World Cup visa arrangement.
