Yaw Ampofo Ankrah suspended as NSA Director-General over visa scandal

The Presidency has officially suspended Yaw Ampofo Ankrah from his position as the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA). The directive comes in the wake of serious allegations involving visa racketeering specifically related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This move by the administration of President John Mahama signals a zero-tolerance approach to administrative malpractice within the nation's sporting bodies as preparations for international tournaments begin to intensify.

The suspension was confirmed through a formal letter signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, the Secretary to the President. According to the communication, the decision to remove Mr. Ampofo Ankrah from his post is intended to pave the way for a comprehensive and unhindered investigation into the reported scandal. The Presidency has indicated that the allegations are grave enough to warrant immediate administrative action while the facts of the case are being established by the relevant investigative authorities.

While the specific mechanics of the alleged visa racketeering scheme have not been fully detailed in the initial release, the connection to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has raised significant concerns among sports stakeholders. Visa-related scandals have historically been a recurring challenge for Ghanaian sports administration during major global events, and this investigation is expected to probe whether official channels at the NSA were compromised to facilitate unauthorized travel arrangements under the guise of tournament participation.

Mr. Ampofo Ankrah is expected to remain on suspension until the conclusion of the inquiry. In the interim, the government is expected to announce a temporary head for the National Sports Authority to ensure that the country's sporting programs and infrastructure projects continue without disruption. The final report of the investigation will determine the long-term future of the embattled Director-General and whether any further legal or disciplinary actions will be pursued by the state.