The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has opened investigations into allegations surrounding a purported US$623,000 visa and travel facilitation arrangement linked to persons planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
At the centre of the inquiry is the suspended Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, who has been questioned by security authorities over the claims.
The allegations concern the collection of substantial sums of money from prospective World Cup travellers who were allegedly promised assistance with securing visas and making travel arrangements for the tournament.
The Minority in Parliament has alleged that some individuals were asked to pay as much as US$8,000 in connection with the purported arrangement.
However, the allegations have not been established as fact, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether any unauthorised financial transactions took place and who may have been involved.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah has denied wrongdoing and reportedly rejected the allegations when he appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
His appearance before the CID followed a petition said to have been filed on September 8, raising concerns about an alleged scheme involving people connected to the NSA.
According to the allegations, money was collected from prospective travellers on the understanding that their visas and other travel-related requirements for the World Cup would be facilitated.
The NSA, however, has consistently denied authorising such an arrangement or setting up any official channel through which members of the public could pay for World Cup visa assistance.
The Authority has also sought to distinguish its dealings with TRIBE FEST from the alleged visa scheme.
TRIBE FEST is described as a FIFA-licensed partner involved in activities including fan experiences, World Cup viewing programmes and mobilisation, but the NSA has said that its association with the organisation did not amount to authorisation for visa procurement or the collection of money from travellers.
In a statement issued in September, the NSA said its legal representatives were cooperating with the relevant investigations and that officials would avail themselves to the authorities whenever required.
The investigation has unfolded against the backdrop of a change in leadership at the NSA, following the suspension of Mr Ampofo Ankrah from his position as Director-General.
Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong has since been appointed Acting Director-General of the Authority.
Prof. Sarpong is an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), and has taken over the leadership of the NSA while the issues surrounding his predecessor remain under investigation.
The NSA leadership change and the security investigation are separate developments, although both have occurred within the same period.
Security authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged payments, identify the persons or entities involved and determine whether any official authorisation existed for the purported visa facilitation arrangement.
The probe could also establish whether individuals who allegedly paid money received any services in return or whether the funds were collected under representations that were not authorised by the NSA.
For now, neither the allegation of the US$623,000 collection nor the reported individual payments of up to US$8,000 have been judicially established.
The investigation remains active, and any further action will depend on the findings of the security and law-enforcement authorities.
