The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has launched investigations into suspected corruption at the National Sports Authority (NSA), including alleged financial irregularities in arrangements for Ghanaian travellers seeking visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The investigations will examine allegations of abuse of public office, irregular selection of sponsorship beneficiaries, visa facilitation arrangements and the collection and management of funds from prospective travellers.
In a statement, the OSP said it had received petitions raising concerns about the processes used to select beneficiaries and the handling of money collected in connection with Ghana’s participation in the tournament.
Investigators will also scrutinise claims that some competition winners were left out of the final beneficiary lists submitted to foreign diplomatic missions.
The probe follows revelations first reported by JoySports that more than $623,000 was allegedly collected from prospective travellers seeking assistance with visa arrangements for the World Cup.
The allegations have implicated suspended NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, former Chief Operations Officer Yaw Gyamfi Kusi Awere and TRIBE Culture Fest Chief Executive Officer Nana Boateng Gyimah.
Mr Awere alleged that Mr Ankrah received $56,000 in commission from the arrangements, while Mr Gyimah allegedly received $511,000. Mr Ankrah has denied any wrongdoing.
President John Dramani Mahama suspended Mr Ankrah on October 1, 2026, pending a Criminal Investigations Department (CID) inquiry into the allegations.
The President also established a separate committee chaired by Professor Francis Dodoo to investigate the matter.
The controversy has prompted calls for a wider examination of the institutions and individuals involved in organising Ghana’s World Cup-related activities.
The Minority in Parliament has demanded an independent investigation into the roles of the NSA, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Sports and Recreation, and TRIBE Culture Fest.
It has also questioned the accuracy of beneficiary records submitted to foreign diplomatic missions.
Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, alleged that only 15 of the 102 individuals presented as NSA personnel could be verified as employees of the Authority.
The OSP said it would release further information in line with its disclosure policy.
It cautioned, however, that the commencement of investigations does not amount to a finding of guilt, stressing that all persons and institutions involved remain presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
