John Mahama suspends NSA Director-General over $623,000 visa fraud

President John Mahama has suspended the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, as the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) launches a probe into an alleged $623,000 visa fraud scheme. The controversy centers on the facilitation of visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with investigators examining claims that approximately $623,000 was collected from travelers for assistance. The investigation follows reports of irregularities in personnel lists submitted to the United States and Canadian embassies and has sparked a national debate over accountability in sports governance.

Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has alleged that over 30 individuals were falsely represented as board members of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in documentation sent to the U.S. Embassy. Assafuah called for the immediate suspension of GTA CEO Maame Efua Sekyi-Aidoo Houadjeto to allow for a transparent investigation into the misrepresentation. Similarly, the Minority in Parliament is demanding the dismissal and prosecution of Sports Minister Kofi Adams and other top officials, citing concerns over the credibility of the visa application process and potential financial misconduct.

The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has defended its conduct, with special aide Wonder Sitsofe Mandel stating there is no evidence that Minister Kofi Adams benefited financially from the arrangements. Mandel clarified that the ministry is not shielding any individuals and is cooperating fully with the CID. He also addressed rumors regarding the Minister's security detail, confirming that a police officer included in the visa application returned to Ghana as scheduled on July 1. Abass Nurudeen, CEO of the Ghana Social Investment Fund, described the Minority's demands as unfounded, urging the public to wait for substantiated facts from the ongoing investigation.

Senyo Hosi, Convener of the OneGhana Movement, emphasized that the scandal must be viewed through the lens of constitutional accountability. Speaking on JoyNews, Hosi noted that public officials have allegedly leveraged their offices to facilitate fraud, which damages public trust and the nation's international reputation. He called for adherence to principles of probity and transparency as outlined in the 1992 Constitution. As the CID investigation continues, President Mahama has indicated that further actions will be taken once the findings are finalized to ensure all responsible parties face the law.