Ranking Member of Parliament’s Select Committee on Sports, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has alleged that some individuals linked to the National Sports Authority (NSA) charged travellers as much as $10,000 per person for an arrangement that officially cost $3,000.

According to the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, some of the affected individuals were not staff of the NSA but were allegedly presented to foreign diplomatic missions as staff or volunteers of public institutions.

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Speaking on JoyNews on October 7, 2026, he said he had spoken to some of the individuals involved, as well as their parents, who allegedly confirmed that $10,000 had been paid per person.

He further alleged that some were being asked to pay another $10,000, potentially bringing the total to $20,000 for two individuals.

Ranking Member of Parliament’s Select Committee on Sports, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has alleged that some individuals linked to the National Sports Authority (NSA) charged travellers as much as $10,000 per person for an arrangement that officially cost $3,000.

According to the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, some of the affected individuals were not staff of the NSA but were allegedly presented to foreign diplomatic missions as staff or volunteers of public institutions.

Speaking on JoyNews on October 7, 2026, he said he had spoken to some of the individuals involved, as well as, their parents, who allegedly confirmed that $10,000 had been paid per person.

He further alleged that some were being asked to pay another $10,000, potentially bringing the total to $20,000 for two individuals.

Assafuah said the official arrangement involved a $3,000 fee, raising questions about the use of the additional $7,000 allegedly paid by each person.

"Their parents are on video saying that they've paid $10,000. They are not staff of the NSA. They were waiting to pay an additional $10,000. $20,000? One person is $10,000. So, two individuals, $20,000.

"So, it means that when they go and pay the firm the $3,000, which is the official arrangement, the remaining $7,000 becomes the business of the NSA or the individuals who are leading this fraudulent activity,” he said.

He also alleged that some individuals were presented to foreign diplomatic missions as staff of public institutions despite not being employees of those institutions.

According to him, the issue came to light after the fraud prevention unit of the US Embassy detected concerns and requested documentation to verify the applicants’ status.

Assafuah also referred to a June 2025 meeting involving the US Embassy, the Canadian Embassy, the NSA, the Ghana Tourism Authority and Tribe Culture First, where, he said, specific slots were allocated under arrangements involving official fees.

He argued that if an individual paid $10,000 for an arrangement costing $3,000, the difference amounted to $7,000 per person.

“If people pay $10,000, that means the NSA or the ministry made $7,000 from each person. That’s the kind of business that they did,” he said.

Assafuah maintained that the Sports Minister could not easily be separated from the matter because the letter in question originated from the Ministry.

“This is a letter that emanated from the ministry. No letter will leave the ministry, properly referenced and passing through the system, without the minister’s approval,” he said.

His comments follow the removal of the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, over alleged irregularities in visa arrangements for the 2026 World Cup.

JKB/VPO

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