BNI probes NSA visa issues as Ampofo Ankrah steps aside

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
October 1, 2026

Accra, Ghana — Ghana’s National Sports Authority (NSA) is facing renewed scrutiny following reports that the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has begun probing allegations surrounding a controversial visa facilitation arrangement linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The development comes at the same time as Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has stepped aside as Director-General of the National Sports Authority, with Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong appointed to serve as Acting Director-General.

Ampofo Ankrah’s departure comes amid an ongoing investigation into claims that prospective World Cup travellers were asked to pay large sums of money for assistance with visa and travel arrangements.

The allegations have generated political and public concern, particularly because of the reported involvement of an organisation that had dealings with the NSA in connection with World Cup-related activities.

However, the allegations have not been established as fact, and the investigations are expected to determine whether any money was collected unlawfully, who was responsible and whether officials of the NSA played any role.

What triggered the investigation?

The controversy centres on allegations surrounding arrangements for Ghanaians hoping to travel to the United States to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The tournament will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and Ghanaian football supporters have already begun making preparations to attend matches and related events.

According to allegations raised publicly, some prospective travellers were asked to pay substantial amounts of money in connection with visa and travel arrangements.

The Minority in Parliament has claimed that more than US$600,000 was collected under the arrangement, with some individuals allegedly paying as much as US$8,000.

Those claims prompted questions about who authorised the collection of the money and whether applicants were given the impression that they were dealing with an official government-backed programme.

The matter subsequently attracted the attention of Ghana’s security and law-enforcement authorities.

NSA denies operating a visa scheme

The National Sports Authority has denied authorising any scheme to collect money from Ghanaians in exchange for assistance in securing U.S. visas.

The Authority has said its involvement was connected to World Cup fan-experience activities and mobilisation rather than visa procurement.

The NSA has also referred to its relationship with TRIBE FEST, an organisation involved in World Cup-related fan activities.

According to the Authority, the partnership did not authorise TRIBE FEST, NSA officials or any other individual to collect money from members of the public for visa procurement.

The NSA has maintained that it is cooperating with investigators and that any person found to have engaged in wrongdoing should face the appropriate legal process.

This distinction is important as investigators work to establish whether the alleged payments occurred and whether any public officials were involved.

Ampofo Ankrah questioned

Ampofo Ankrah has reportedly been questioned by investigators as part of efforts to establish what happened.

Reports indicate that he denied allegations of wrongdoing.

Other officials connected to the NSA have also reportedly been questioned as investigators seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged visa arrangement.

The investigation is expected to examine communications, financial transactions, agreements and other documents that could help establish who organised the arrangement and how money allegedly changed hands.

The involvement of the BNI adds another layer to the investigation, which had already attracted the attention of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service.

Ampofo Ankrah steps aside

The investigation comes as Ampofo Ankrah leaves his position at the NSA.

President John Dramani Mahama has directed that he step aside, with Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong taking over as Acting Director-General.

The change in leadership follows the earlier dissolution of the NSA’s governing board by the government.

Ampofo Ankrah had been involved in Ghana’s sports administration for several years and became one of the most visible officials overseeing the country’s sporting infrastructure and activities.

His departure therefore represents a significant change at the Authority at a time when the institution is already facing several public discussions about its operations.

Who is Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong?

Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong is an academic and sports administrator with experience in sports science and grassroots sports development.

He is an Associate Professor of Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Education, Winneba.

He has also served as National Coordinator of the School and Grassroots Sports Secretariat under the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

His appointment places him at the centre of the NSA’s operations as the institution deals with the ongoing investigation and prepares for major sporting activities.

Minority raises concerns

The controversy has also become a subject of political debate.

The Minority in Parliament has called for greater scrutiny of the alleged visa arrangement and questioned how such a large amount of money could allegedly have been collected from prospective World Cup travellers.

The Minority has argued that the allegations require a full investigation and accountability where wrongdoing is established.

The government and investigators, however, have yet to announce any final findings establishing that Ampofo Ankrah personally participated in an illegal visa operation.

For that reason, the allegations should be distinguished from proven facts as the investigation continues.

The role of TRIBE FEST

TRIBE FEST has become another important part of the controversy because of its reported relationship with the NSA.

The organisation has been associated with World Cup fan activities and related programmes.

The NSA has said its engagement with TRIBE FEST was intended to support fan experiences and mobilisation around the tournament.

The Authority has rejected any suggestion that this relationship gave TRIBE FEST authority to collect money for U.S. visa applications.

Investigators will therefore have to determine whether anyone used the name or association of the NSA to create an impression of official government approval.

That could become an important part of determining responsibility if evidence of financial misconduct is established.

Why the World Cup is attracting interest

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be one of the biggest sporting events in history.

The tournament will be hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States, with matches taking place in multiple cities across the three countries.

For Ghanaian supporters, travelling to the tournament presents additional challenges because of visa requirements, accommodation costs, flights and other expenses.

The high cost of travelling to North America has created an environment in which people seeking help with travel arrangements could potentially become vulnerable to individuals promising easier access to visas or other services.

That is one reason authorities are expected to closely examine any claims involving large payments for World Cup-related travel assistance.

What happens next?

The BNI and police investigations are expected to continue as Professor Sarpong begins his duties as Acting Director-General of the NSA.

Investigators will need to establish whether the alleged payments were made, who received them, what services were promised and whether any government officials or institutions were involved.

They will also have to determine whether the arrangements breached Ghanaian law.

For Ampofo Ankrah, stepping aside from his position does not by itself establish criminal liability or prove the allegations against him.

The same applies to other individuals whose names may emerge during the investigation.

Any further action will depend on the evidence gathered by investigators.

A new chapter for the NSA

Professor Sarpong now takes charge of the NSA at a time when public attention is firmly focused on the Authority.

His immediate challenge will be to maintain the operations of the institution while allowing investigators to conduct their work without interference.

The outcome of the investigation could have wider implications for how government agencies and private organisations collaborate on major international sporting events.

For now, the central questions remain unanswered: Who collected the alleged money? Who authorised the arrangement? What were applicants promised, and did any public officials participate?

Those are questions the ongoing investigations will have to answer.

Until then, the reported visa payments remain allegations, while Ampofo Ankrah’s decision to step aside marks a significant change in the leadership of Ghana’s National Sports Authority.