NSA denies $623,000 World Cup visa allegations, pledges cooperation with police

The National Sports Authority (NSA) has denied allegations that some of its officials received approximately US$623,000 from members of the public in exchange for facilitating visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the NSA said it has never authorised or operated any office at the stadium for the collection of money or facilitation of visas.The NSA categorically denies establishing, authorising or operating any office at the stadium for the collection of money or facilitation of visas, the statement said.The Authority also denied sanctioning or authorising any visa-related activities of the nature alleged in the publication.The NSA clarified the role of TRIBE FEST, explaining that the organisation was a FIFA-licensed partner involved in Fans-Experience activities, World Cup viewing events and event mobilisation in collaboration with the NSA, the Ghana Tourism Authority and other partners.For the avoidance of doubt, TRIBE FEST was a FIFA licensed partner in assisting with Fans-Experience activities, World Cup viewing events and event mobilisation in collaboration with the NSA and the Ghana Tourism Authority as well as other collaborators, the statement said.The NSA stressed that the arrangement did not permit TRIBE FEST, any NSA employee or any other person to collect money for the procurement of visas on behalf of the Authority.The statement comes amid reports that a petition has been submitted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service over the alleged visa facilitation scheme.The NSA said it is aware of the reported petition but has not been officially notified of its full particulars.The Authority is aware of reports that a petition has been submitted to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service, it said.The NSA has not been officially notified of the full particulars of the alleged petition and will not speculate on its contents or the persons reportedly named in it.The Authority said it takes the allegations seriously and is prepared to cooperate fully with any investigation by the Ghana Police Service.The NSA takes the allegations seriously and will cooperate fully with the Ghana Police Service in any lawful investigation, the statement added.It further said Director-General and other officials of the Authority would make themselves available and provide the necessary assistance if invited by the police.The NSA also warned against attributing the alleged conduct of individuals to the Authority as an institution unless evidence establishes that such actions were authorised by the organisation.If credible evidence establishes wrongdoing by any employee, official or third party, the NSA expects the Police to deal with the person responsible in accordance with the law and assures the public of its full cooperation, the statement said.The alleged conduct of any individual should not, however, be attributed to the NSA as an institution unless the facts establish that the conduct was duly authorised by the Authority.The Authority has consequently urged the public and media to exercise restraint while the matter is being investigated.It called on the media to refrain from presenting unverified allegations as established facts and allow the appropriate state institutions to conduct their investigations.