Fired Over World Cup Visa Money – Mahama Sacks NSA Boss Ampofo Ankrah In $600,000 Scandal

President John Dramani Mahama has sacked Yaw Ampofo Ankrah as Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA).

His dismissal was announced on Thursday, October 1, 2026 . Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong has been named Acting Director-General with immediate effect .

Ampofo Ankrah’s exit comes weeks after allegations emerged concerning a purported arrangement in which individuals seeking to travel to the 2026 World Cup were allegedly charged money for assistance with visas and travel arrangements.

According to reports, a petition was filed at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on September 8, claiming that people connected to the NSA collected money from Ghanaians who wanted to travel to the 2026 .

The Minority in Parliament alleged that more than $600,000 was collected through the arrangement, with some reports putting the figure at about US$623,000. 

They also claimed some applicants were charged as much as $8,000 each for travel assistance. These claims have not been established as fact. 

The case triggered a full police investigation. Ampofo Ankrah and some staff were questioned by the CID. He appeared before police last week and denied the allegations. 

The National Sports Authority has denied that it ever authorised any visa facilitation or money-collection arrangement for the 2026 World Cup. 

In a statement, the Authority said it did not sanction such activities and that its legal team is cooperating with the police investigation. 

The NSA also clarified that its relationship with TRIBE FEST, a FIFA-licensed partner for fan experiences, did not include collecting money for visas. 

Ampofo Ankrah himself has said he has no knowledge of any such arrangement. 

Before his sack, pressure had been mounting. The Minority in Parliament had called for him to be suspended or dismissed while investigations continued. 

They argued that stepping aside would allow the probe to proceed without concerns over institutional leadership.

His removal comes less than a month after President Mahama dissolved the NSA governing board on September 2, 2026, as part of a move affecting nine state institutions. 

The dismissal itself does not establish criminal liability or prove the allegations against him. 

For now, Prof. Sarpong takes over the NSA as the police investigation continues to answer the key questions: who collected the money, who authorised it, and what exactly was promised to the fans who paid.

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