The Minority in Parliament is demanding the suspension or dismissal of the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, over allegations surrounding the collection of more than $600,000 in connection with visa facilitation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ranking Member on Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, said the allegations were serious enough to warrant Mr Ankrah stepping aside while investigations are conducted.
JoyNews Parliamentary Correspondent Kweku Asante reported that a petition had been submitted to the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) seeking an investigation into claims that more than $600,000 was collected from persons seeking visas to attend the World Cup, allegedly on the authority of the NSA.
Some individuals have reportedly been implicated and investigated in connection with the matter. However, the NSA has denied involvement in the collection of the money.
Mr Ankrah has issued a statement distancing the NSA from the alleged collection, maintaining that the authority had nothing to do with the money.
Despite the denial, the Minority believes the allegations, which it has described as involving “visa racketeering”, are serious enough to require the NSA Director-General and members of his management team to step aside while the investigation continues.
According to Mr Asante, the Minority is concerned that the NSA’s leadership could remain in office while an investigation into the allegations is ongoing.
The demand follows an appearance by the Minister for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, before Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee on Thursday, September 17, where he responded to questions on the visa allegations and other matters concerning the sports sector.
Mr Asante said the Minority was dissatisfied with the minister’s responses and maintained its call for Mr Ankrah to be removed or step aside to allow the investigation into the allegations to proceed.