BNI investigates Ampofo Ankrah over alleged $623,000 World Cup visa scheme

The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) is probing suspended National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah over alleged visa facilitation practices linked to individuals aiming to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The probe focuses on claims that over US$600,000 was gathered from prospective travelers for assistance with visa and travel logistics for the event.

Minority members of Parliament alleged that some applicants faced charges of up to US$8,000 under the scheme. Mr Ampofo Ankrah and NSA officials have been interrogated by law enforcement as the investigation persists. Ampofo Ankrah was suspended from his position as NSA Director-General, with Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong serving as Acting Director-General.

The suspension and the BNI probe are distinct matters, with the inquiry into the alleged visa scheme ongoing alongside the leadership transition at the NSA. The NSA denies authorizing any visa facilitation or money-collection scheme and asserts its legal team is cooperating with the investigations. In September, the Authority stated that its partnership with TRIBE FEST, a FIFA-licensed entity involved in fan experiences and World Cup-related events, did not include authorization for collecting money for visa applications.

Allegations emerged following a petition submitted to the Ghana Police Service's Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on September 8, claiming that NSA-connected individuals received payments from prospective travelers in exchange for facilitating their travel and visa arrangements for the World Cup. Mr Ampofo Ankrah testified before the CID last week and denied the accusations.

The NSA maintains that it did not sanction any visa facilitation service or set up an office to collect funds from the public seeking to travel to the tournament. The BNI investigation follows the recent replacement of Mr Ampofo Ankrah by Prof. Sarpong, an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Education, Winneba. The allegations remain under investigation and have not been substantiated as fact.