The Minority in Parliament has called for the immediate dismissal or suspension of National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah over an alleged US$600,000 visa facilitation scheme linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Addressing the media, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, said a private entity allegedly operated from an NSA facility and charged some individuals up to US$8,000 for travel assistance.
“We have also received information that individuals were allegedly charged as much as eight thousand dollars each for the assistance with their travel arrangements,” he said.
Mr. Assafuah also questioned who authorised the arrangement, who received the money and what happened to individuals who allegedly paid but did not receive the promised services.
“The question is simple. Why was a private entity permitted to operate from a state sports facility to facilitate such transactions? Who authorized it? Who received the money? What service was actually provided and what happened to those who paid but did not get what they were promised?” he asked.
He said the NSA Director-General and some staff have reportedly been appearing before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for questioning over the alleged arrangement.
“We are not prejudging the outcome of the investigation and we will not declare anyone guilty before the facts are established,” Mr. Assafuah said.
However, he maintained that the NSA boss should step aside while investigations continue.
“When the head of a state institution is being questioned by the police over allegations connected to activities reportedly carried out within or around that institution, the appropriate thing to do is to step aside while the investigation is ongoing,” he said.
The Minority is therefore urging President John Mahama to dismiss Mr. Ampofo Ankrah or require him to step aside pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The allegations have not been established, and investigations are ongoing.
