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Yaw Ampofo Ankrah suspended as NSA director over $600,000 visa scandal
•2 min read•4 sources
The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has suspended the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, following allegations of a visa racketeering scandal. The suspension is intended to facilitate a comprehensive and transparent inquiry into illegal activities reportedly linked to Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Minister Adams clarified that the move is not a formal dismissal but a necessary administrative step to ensure the investigation proceeds without interference.
The investigation centers on claims that significant sums of money were collected from individuals under the guise of securing visas for the upcoming World Cup. According to Minister Adams, Nana Boateng Gyimah, the CEO of TRIBE Culture Fest, allegedly collected over $600,000 from victims without providing the promised services or issuing refunds. The Ministry has called on national security and law enforcement agencies to take action against those responsible for the financial exploitation of prospective travelers.
The case gained traction after the former Chief Operating Officer of the NSA, Yaw Gyamfi Kusi Awere, began providing information to authorities. Awere reportedly implicated both Ankrah and Gyimah in the scheme, which involved unauthorized payments and logistical promises. In response to potential legal challenges from the TRIBE Culture Fest CEO, Minister Adams maintained that the priority of the state is to ensure accountability and the protection of the victims' interests.
This development highlights ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to sanitize sports administration in Ghana. As the investigation continues, the NSA is expected to cooperate fully with the probe to restore confidence in the management of international tournament preparations. The outcome of the inquiry will determine whether further disciplinary or legal actions will be taken against the suspended director and his alleged associates.