A friend of suspended National Sports Authority (NSA) Director‑General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah paid $26,000 to police last week, according to sources familiar with the transaction. The payment is part of the $56,000 the former NSA chief is alleged to have received as commission from a visa‑racketeering scheme linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The payment was made with Ankrah’s approval and that of his lawyers, the sources said. JoySports reached out to Ankrah on 15 October for comment but did not receive a response.
Official statements
I challenge any man or woman to come forward and say they have given me even a penny to help them to process visas. I have never and will never do such a thing,
In a statement last month, Ankrah denied any wrongdoing.
the police were investigating the allegations "aggressively" and that Mr Ankrah had made multiple appearances before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
Lawyer Jerry Avenorgbor told Newsfile of the aggressive police investigation.
"200 per cent sure" he would "be exonerated"
Ankrah told Sporty FM he was confident of being cleared.
The scandal centres on roughly 180 prospective travellers who paid between $4,000 and $25,000 for visa assistance to attend the 2026 World Cup. None of the applicants seeking Canadian visas received approvals, and only about 37 of the 180 obtained any visa. A list of 90 names submitted by Ankrah to the Sports Ministry on 19 May 2026 did not result in any appointment dates.
President John Dramani Mahama suspended Ankrah on 1 October pending investigations, following a report from Sports Minister Kofi Adams. A presidential committee chaired by Professor Francis Dodoo has been established at Jubilee House to probe the allegations. Police investigations continue to determine the circumstances of the payments and any possible offences.
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