Baku:More details have emerged about a visa racketeering scandal linked to Ghana's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leading to the suspension of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah as director of the National Sports Authority (NSA).
According to Ghana Web, former NSA Chief Operations Officer Yaw Gyamfi Kusi Awere reportedly implicated himself and others, including Ampofo Ankrah and TRIBE Culture Fest CEO Nana Boateng Gyimah, in the scandal after facing pressure from victims demanding refunds. Gyamfi petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to address the issue.
Gyamfi's actions were reportedly a result of his failure to secure refunds from other parties who allegedly received portions of the money collected from individuals seeking U.S. and Canadian visas for the World Cup. The allegations were discussed by Joy FM Sports Editor Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, who noted Gyamfi had returned his share but faced ongoing pressure as he was directly involved in collecting funds.
Fentuo explained that Gyamfi asked the other alleged beneficiaries, including Tribe Fest CEO and Ampofo Ankrah, to return their portions to settle outstanding refunds. The refusal of these parties heightened the pressure on Gyamfi, prompting him to name them in his CID petition.
JoyNews reporter Muftawu Nabila Abdulai added that 85 out of 90 victims paid between $10,000 and $15,000 but did not receive the visas. Allegedly, the money collected was distributed among several individuals, including $1,500 each to Ampofo Ankrah and Gyamfi, with other amounts allocated to different parties.