OSP opens investigations into NSA World Cup visa scandal
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has opened investigations into suspected corruption in contracts awarded by the National Sports Authority (NSA) and alleged financial irregularities surrounding Ghana's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has launched investigations into suspected corruption and financial irregularities related to Ghana's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The OSP is examining allegations of abuse of public office, irregularities in sponsorship beneficiary selection, visa facilitation arrangements, and mismanagement of funds from potential travelers.
These investigations stem from petitions alleging corruption in the award of contracts by the National Sports Authority (NSA) to various service providers. The OSP is also looking into claims that some winners of World Cup-related competitions were excluded from the final beneficiary lists submitted to foreign diplomatic missions.
The probe will aim to determine how beneficiaries were chosen, who authorized travel opportunities, and if public officials or private individuals improperly benefited from the arrangements. The allegations were first exposed by JoySports, who reported that over $623,000 had been collected from prospective travelers seeking visa assistance.
Of the approximately 180 applicants, around 37 received visas, while the rest faced rejection, missed interview appointments, or were never processed, with all Canadian visa applicants ultimately failing. Former NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has denied any wrongdoing, stating he neither collected money nor participated in the visa facilitation scheme.
However, former NSA Chief Operations Officer Yaw Gyamfi Kusi Awere and TRIBE Culture Fest CEO Nana Boateng Gyimah have been implicated in the probe. JoySports also reported that $26,000 was paid to the police on behalf of Ankrah, which the suspended official denies receiving commission from the visa arrangements. President Mahama suspended Ankrah pending CID investigations, and Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong was appointed as Acting Director-General of the NSA.
A committee chaired by Professor Francis Dodoo has been established to investigate the allegations further.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
