The legal and political fallout surrounding Ghana’s National Sports Authority continues as suspended Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah’s lawyer rejects allegations of visa fraud linked to the country’s 2026 FIFA World Cup arrangements. Speaking to JoySports, Jerry Avenorgbor said his client had not collected money from applicants to secure visas. The denial comes amid an ongoing police investigation into alleged irregularities in visa facilitation, with Ankrah’s involvement yet to be established.
Ankrah’s legal team says he has cooperated fully with investigators over the past four weeks. Avenorgbor described repeated engagements with police as part of an extensive investigative process and expressed confidence that it would clarify the allegations. “My client has not met, dealt with, or associated with any person for the purpose of collecting money, in whatever currency, to secure a visa for anyone,” he said.
The NSA has separately denied authorising a service to arrange visas or collect money from prospective travellers. President John Dramani Mahama suspended Ankrah pending the investigation, with Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong appointed acting Director-General. The change in leadership does not resolve the allegations, which remain subject to investigation rather than established findings of wrongdoing.
The political dimensions of the controversy extend beyond Ankrah’s position. The Minority in Parliament has called for a comprehensive investigation into alleged visa-related irregularities, including claims that unauthorised processing fees were charged. Those allegations have intensified scrutiny of sports administration, but they should not be treated as proof of misconduct by Ankrah or other officials.
Ankrah has also deferred an appearance before Parliament while the Criminal Investigations Department’s inquiry continues. His lawyers said appearing at that stage could prejudice the investigation and interfere with the process of establishing the facts. For now, the central questions remain unresolved: whether wrongdoing occurred, who was responsible and what action, if any, should follow the investigators’ findings.
