Mahama Suspends Ampofo Ankrah Pending World Cup Visa Investigation

President John Dramani Mahama has suspended Yaw Ampofo Ankrah as Director-General of the National Sports Authority, pending a full police investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding visa facilitation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Taking over as Acting Director-General is Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, who steps in with immediate effect to lead the sports body while the inquiry runs.

The suspension was set out in an official letter dated today — signed by Secretary to the President Calitus Mahama — instructing Ampofo Ankrah to stand aside. The government stresses this is an administrative step and does not amount to any finding of wrongdoing.

The case centres on claims that people seeking help with World Cup visas and travel paid large sums of money under an alleged facilitation scheme. Parliament’s Minority says more than $600,000 may have changed hands, with some individuals paying up to $8,000 each. It must be noted: these are allegations only — no figures or beneficiaries have yet been confirmed.

The NSA has stated it never authorised any such scheme and confirms its legal team is fully cooperating with police.

Ampofo Ankrah himself strongly denies any involvement. Speaking on his behalf, lawyer Jerry Avenorgbor told Citi FM’s Eyewitness News his client never collected money or ran any arrangement of this kind. Avenorgbor said he is confident the investigation will clear his name, adding that the probe is being led by the Police Economic Crime Unit — not, as some reports claimed, the Bureau of National Investigations — and has been underway for several weeks with multiple parties invited for questioning.

This marks the second shake-up at the NSA in less than a month. President Mahama dissolved the entire governing board on 2 September; Ampofo Ankrah had remained in post to run day-to-day operations until today’s order. The Minority had publicly called for his removal as the allegations gained traction.

Professor Sarpong brings experience as National Coordinator of the School and Grassroots Sports Secretariat at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, alongside an academic role as Associate Professor of Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Education, Winneba.

Key questions remain unanswered — whether money was paid, who received it, what was promised, and whether anyone acted with official approval. The NSA has denied institutional involvement; Ampofo Ankrah has rejected personal responsibility. Investigators will now weigh the evidence to establish the facts.

For now, the presidential directive stands: Ampofo Ankrah is suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry