World Cup: Dismiss or suspend NSA boss over visa allegations – Minority to Mahama

The Minority in Parliament has called for the immediate dismissal or suspension of the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, over alleged fraud linked to a visa facilitation arrangement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The caucus cited reports that the NSA Director-General and some staff have been appearing before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for questioning over the arrangement, which allegedly generated about $600,000. Addressing journalists, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, alleged that individuals were charged as much as $8,000 for assistance with their travel arrangements, with promotional materials for the service displayed at NSA offices and around the stadium. He said the arrangement involved a private entity operating with the support of the NSA and questioned why a private organisation was allowed to use a state sports facility to facilitate the transactions. “Our caucus further raised questions about approximately $600,000 reportedly realized from this arrangement. The question is simple. Why was a private entity permitted to operate from a state sports facility to facilitate such transactions? Who authorised it?” he asked. Mr Assafuah also questioned who received the money, what services were provided, and what happened to individuals who allegedly paid for the service but did not receive what they were promised. He said the reported CID questioning of the NSA Director-General and some staff makes the matter more serious, but stressed that the Minority was not prejudging the outcome of the investigation. “We are not prejudging the outcome of the investigation. And we will not declare anyone guilty before the facts are established,” he said. Mr Assafuah, however, argued that the NSA Director-General should step aside while the investigation is ongoing, given that the allegations concern activities reportedly carried out within or around the institution. “We therefore call on the President to dismiss the Director General of the National Sports Authority with immediate effect, or at the very least, require him to step aside pending the conclusion of the investigation,” he said. Six denied bail over 3.9 tonne cocaine shipment from Tema Port Source: Citi Newsroom