World Cup visa scandal: $26,000 paid to police on behalf of Ampofo Ankrah

A total of $26,000 has reportedly been paid to the police on behalf of suspended National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, part of the $56,000 he is alleged to have received as commission from proceeds linked to the World Cup visa scandal.

People familiar with the payment told JoySports that the money was paid last week by a friend of Mr Ankrah, with the approval of the suspended NSA boss and his lawyers.

The sources said the individual had undertaken to pay the outstanding balance.

JoySports contacted Mr Ankrah on 15 October to verify the payment, but he did not respond to the request for comment.

The payment comes amid investigations into allegations of visa racketeering involving NSA officials and other individuals in connection with arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Mr Ankrah has denied the allegations levelled against him in a petition filed by the NSA’s former Chief Operations Officer, Yaw Gyamfi Kusi Awere.

“I challenge any man or woman to come forward and say they have given me even a penny to help them to process visas. I have never and will never do such a thing,” he said in a statement last month.

Earlier this month, his lawyer, Jerry Avenorgbor, told Newsfile that the police were investigating the allegations “aggressively” and that Mr Ankrah had made multiple appearances before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Sources familiar with the investigation said Mr Ankrah had told investigators that he and Mr Gyamfi had exchanged money over the course of their relationship, which dates back to 1989. However, he maintained that he did not know the money in question represented commission from prospective travellers seeking visa assistance.

Mr Gyamfi filed the petition seeking police intervention to recover the $56,000 he alleged Mr Ankrah had received as commission from prospective travellers.

Mr Ankrah maintains that the allegations against him concerning visa-related payments are unfounded.

Investigation uncovers payments by prospective travellers

A JoySports investigation found that about 180 prospective travellers had paid between $4,000 and $25,000 for visa assistance in the hope of travelling to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

None of the applicants seeking support to travel to Canada received visas, while about 37 applicants obtained visas.

A list of 90 people submitted by Mr Ankrah to the Sports Ministry on 19 May 2026, seeking support for visa applications, did not result in any of the applicants receiving a visa appointment date.

Mr Gyamfi has claimed that the individuals paid money before their names were included on the list submitted for visa support.

Mr Ankrah has denied knowledge of wrongdoing and recently told Sporty FM that he was “200 percent sure” he would “be exonerated”.

NSA’s role under scrutiny

The investigation has also raised questions about the use of an office at the NSA by Tribe Culture Fest to operate the visa-related scheme.

The NSA has, however, said it did not authorise visa facilitation activities at its premises.

On 1 October, President John Dramani Mahama suspended Mr Ankrah as Director-General of the NSA pending investigations into the alleged visa racketeering.

The suspension followed a report submitted to the Presidency by Sports Minister Kofi Adams concerning the allegations.

The police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged payments, the roles of the individuals involved and whether any offences were committed.

Mr Ankrah’s suspension is an administrative measure pending the outcome of the investigation and does not constitute a finding of guilt.