$56K Commission and More: What we know so far about NSA visa scandal

The Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, was dismissed from his role on October 1 amid ongoing scrutiny over an alleged visa facilitation fraud linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The NSA took centre stage in the sporting fraternity following allegations of a visa scheme that went awry. It was alleged that some individuals within the NSA received about US$623,000 from members of the public in exchange for facilitating FIFA World Cup visas. Some journalists reported that Ampofo Ankrah was involved in the visa issues and was paid large sums as a commission. Muftawu Nabila reveals details of the petition Ghanaian journalist Muftawu Nabila has disclosed portions of a petition submitted to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service regarding an alleged visa scandal at the National Sports Authority (NSA). According to him, he obtained details of the petition while investigating the case. The petition was reportedly written and submitted by the NSA Chief Operating Officer (COO), Gyamfi Kusi Awere, who has reportedly also been sacked. Reading portions of the petition on *Game Plan* on Joy FM, Nabila disclosed how Gyamfi was introduced to the CEO of Tribe Culture Fest, Nana Boateng Gyimah, by NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah to facilitate visa processes. “Yaw took me to a meeting at the American Embassy somewhere in August last year after Ghana had qualified for the World Cup. And after the meeting, when he came out of the room to the main entrance of the embassy, I saw Yaw with a group of people having some discussions. Then he called me to come. That was when he introduced me to Nana Boateng Gyimah. He said he is the CEO of Tribe Culture Fest, the wife of Christine Gyimah, and a member of GTA, which is the Ghana Tourism Authority. “Yaw told me that Nana Gyimah, aka Nana Tribe, can facilitate visas for people, including NSA staff, to travel to the USA and Canada to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup. So I should liaise with him and report to him, Yaw, as my Director-General, which I was doing according to his instructions,” portions of the petition read, according to Nabila. It was further alleged that after the initial visa processes were successful, Ampofo Ankrah directed Gyamfi to liaise with Nana Boateng to facilitate visas for NSA staff and others who were interested in travelling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to the petition, Gyamfi received payments from applicants and forwarded the money to the Tribe Culture Fest CEO. “In November 2025, Nana Tribe was able to facilitate or secure visas for Yaw, myself, and six staff at the American Embassy. Thereafter, Yaw officially gave Nana Tribe an office at the Accra Sports Stadium to operate. “He goes on to say that about 80% of the people who came to pay their visa deposit to me, given to Nana Tribe, were directed by Yaw to meet me, apart from some of the few NSA staff who came directly to me. Yaw was the mastermind of the whole thing we did at the World Cup. And he said that this is the transaction part. He said that when he directs people to come and pay their deposit to me, I quickly call Nana Tribe to come for the money for the visa processing,” other parts of the petition reportedly read. The former NSA COO reportedly said the challenge was that some people who made payments did not obtain visas, leading aggrieved individuals to demand refunds. He further alleged that he and Ampofo Ankrah received $56,000 each in commissions from Nana Boateng and called for the NSA Director-General to refund his share so the money could compensate those affected. “And when he comes for the money, he gives Yaw and me our commission, which Yaw will immediately come and pick up from me. Yaw admitted taking visa money commission from Nana Tribe through me, but the issue at hand now is that the people who paid the money for these visas, it was only a few who were successful. He said that when the people started demanding money, they came to me. “So I asked Yaw to bring his commission, add it to my commission so that I will give it to the police and refund the people. And he said, I gave Nana Tribe five hundred and eleven thousand dollars. Yaw got fifty-six thousand dollars. And I also got $56,000. These are just portions of the petition,” the petition was quoted as saying. Raymond Nyamador's hint Sporty FM outspoken journalist Nyamador called on authorities to engage him for detailed information on the case, warning it could become a major scandal and tarnish the image of President John Dramani Mahama. “As I sit here, if the Chief of Staff, the President, or the Sports Minister is listening to me, they should come, and I will tell them what I know. I will give them every single detail to deal with this scandal. By the time this matter is dealt with, heads will roll, and government appointees will bleed. "Because the matter stinks, and I won't be surprised if this issue becomes the first major scandal in the Mahama administration. And that is why I am asking who gave TRIBE an office at the Accra Sports Stadium and what work was done?” he questioned. Petition and police probe The aggrieved individuals compiled their concerns into a petition and submitted it to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. The NSA has confirmed that the CID is investigating the matter after receiving the petition. The Authority has vowed to cooperate fully with the investigations. Minority demands NSA boss' removal The Minority in Parliament called for action against NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah over the alleged visa facilitation arrangement connected to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Minority demanded that President John Dramani Mahama either dismiss Ampofo Ankrah or direct him to step aside while investigations continue. Ampofo Ankrah maintains his innocence Following the dismissal, Ampofo Ankrah said he was disappointed with how the case was being handled, as he had not been allowed to explain his side of the story. He stressed that he had been suspended for now due to the probe and would cooperate with the investigations. “Just minutes before I came and sat next to you, I spoke with my minister, Honourable Kofi Adams, and he explained the situation to me about an investigation. A lot is going on, which is fine. I think it's very important. And I respect the decision to have an investigation. "And for the time being, for me to step aside, I've not been sacked; at least that's not what he told me, unless between now and the next couple of days. But this is just—it's fluid. But I'm still calm, a bit disappointed, but I'm not one to rant and rage about what decision has been taken,” he told JoySports. SB/SEA “The Problem Is Kurt Okraku, Not the Coach” – Ghanaians React to Carlos Queiroz's Sacking Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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