President Mahama sacks Yaw Ampofo Ankrah as NSA boss

National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has been sacked from his position by President John Dramani Mahama amid ongoing controversy over an alleged visa facilitation arrangement linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ampofo Ankrah’s removal comes weeks after allegations that some people travelling to the World Cup were asked to pay large amounts of money for help with visas and travel arrangements.

The Minority in Parliament had called for the NSA boss to be suspended or removed while investigations into the matter continued.

The Minority claimed that more than US$600,000 was collected through the arrangement, with some applicants reportedly paying up to US$8,000 for help with their travel plans. However, these allegations have not been proven.

The controversy also led to a police investigation, with Ampofo Ankrah and some NSA officials reportedly questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

However, the NSA has denied authorising any visa facilitation service or money-collection arrangement linked to the World Cup. The Authority has said its legal team is working with the police on the investigation.

Ampofo Ankrah’s removal comes as the investigation into the alleged visa arrangement continues, with the NSA facing growing scrutiny.

The development comes less than a month after President Mahama dissolved the NSA’s governing board on September 2.

Ampofo Ankrah was a member of the dissolved board in his role as Director-General but remained in charge of the Authority’s day-to-day operations.

Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong has since been appointed Acting Director-General of the NSA and will take charge of the Authority.