World Cup Visa Scandal: OSP Probes NSA Officials

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has launched an investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving officials of the National Sports Authority (NSA) over arrangements for Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The investigation follows petitions received by the anti-corruption agency over suspected abuse of public office, questionable procurement practices and the collection of money from individuals seeking visa assistance to travel for the tournament.

In a public notice on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the OSP said it was examining allegations of irregularities in the award of contracts to service providers by the NSA, as well as concerns over the selection of beneficiaries under sponsorship initiatives linked to the World Cup.

The agency is particularly interested in claims that some individuals who won competitions organised as part of the sponsorship programmes were left out of the final lists submitted to foreign diplomatic missions.

It said the investigation would establish how the beneficiaries were selected, who approved the travel arrangements and whether public officials or private individuals received improper benefits.

The latest development adds to a growing controversy that has already attracted police investigations, a presidential inquiry and the suspension of the NSA’s former Director-General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.

The scandal came to light following an investigation by JoySports, published on MyJoyOnline on September 14, 2026, which uncovered allegations that more than $623,000 had been collected from prospective travellers seeking assistance to secure visas for the competition in the United States and Canada.

The investigation revealed that several applicants had paid amounts ranging from $4,000 to $25,000 through individuals allegedly connected to the NSA.

According to information gathered by JoySports, more than 170 people reportedly paid money to individuals linked to the Authority for assistance with US visa applications.

However, the process yielded different outcomes. While approximately 37 applicants secured visas, 46 were refused, 34 were unable to obtain appointment dates and another 50 were not processed. All applicants seeking Canadian visas were reportedly unsuccessful.

The allegations involved Mr Ankrah, the NSA’s former Chief Operations Officer, Yaw Gyamfi Kusi Awere, and Nana Boateng Gyimah, Chief Executive Officer of TRIBE Culture Fest.

In a petition to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Mr Awere alleged that Mr Ankrah received $56,000 as commission from the money collected from applicants.

Mr Gyimah was also accused of receiving $511,000.

Mr Awere admitted to JoySports that he had participated in collecting money from applicants, adding that the funds were later shared among individuals involved in the arrangements.

Mr Ankrah, however, has rejected the allegations, maintaining that he did not collect money from prospective travellers or take part in any visa facilitation arrangement.

The matter resurfaced in October after JoySports reported that $26,000 had been paid to the police on behalf of the suspended NSA chief.

The payment, made on October 20 by a friend of Mr Ankrah, was reportedly made with his knowledge and the approval of his lawyers.

Sources familiar with the transaction told JoySports that the money represented part of the $56,000 Mr Awere had alleged Mr Ankrah received as commission. The person who made the payment was also said to have agreed to pay the outstanding amount.

The payment followed Mr Awere’s petition to the police, requesting assistance to recover the alleged commission and help secure refunds for applicants who failed to obtain visas.

Mr Ankrah has maintained that although he had exchanged money with Mr Awere on previous occasions, he did not know that any of the funds represented commissions from prospective travellers. He has also challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence that he collected money for visa assistance.

On October 1, President John Dramani Mahama suspended Mr Ankrah from his position as NSA Director-General pending investigations by the CID.

The decision followed a report submitted to the Presidency by Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams after allegations of financial impropriety emerged. Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong was subsequently appointed Acting Director-General of the Authority.

Meanwhile, the NSA has denied authorising visa facilitation activities or allowing its offices at the Accra Sports Stadium to be used for collecting money from prospective travellers.

The Minority in Parliament has also called for a wider investigation into the involvement of the NSA, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Sports and Recreation and TRIBE Culture Fest.

Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, questioned the accuracy of the lists submitted to foreign diplomatic missions. He alleged that only 15 out of 102 individuals presented as NSA personnel could be confirmed as employees of the Authority.

The Minority has called for an independent investigation into the institutions and individuals connected to the arrangements.

President Mahama has also established a committee chaired by Professor Francis Dodoo to examine the allegations.

The OSP’s involvement is expected to broaden the scope of the ongoing investigations, particularly with the inclusion of procurement contracts awarded by the NSA.

The agency said it would release further details in line with its disclosure policy, stressing that the opening of an investigation does not amount to a finding of guilt.

It added that all individuals and institutions mentioned in the allegations remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.