President John Dramani Mahama has removed National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah from office amid ongoing scrutiny over an alleged visa facilitation arrangement linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong has been appointed Acting Director-General of the NSA.

The development follows allegations that individuals seeking to travel to the World Cup were charged substantial sums for assistance with visa and travel arrangements.

The Minority in Parliament had called for the suspension or dismissal of Ampofo Ankrah, alleging that more than US$600,000 was collected through the arrangement, with some applicants reportedly charged as much as US$8,000.

The NSA has denied authorising any visa facilitation service or money-collection arrangement, and said its legal team was cooperating with a police investigation into the matter.

The allegations have not been established as wrongdoing by Ampofo Ankrah.

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

PAH/MA