A total of $26,000 has reportedly been paid to the police on behalf of suspended National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, representing part of the $56,000 he is alleged to have received as commission from proceeds linked to the 2026 World Cup visa scandal.
Sources familiar with the payment told JoySports that the money was paid last week by a friend of Mr Ankrah, with the approval of the suspended NSA boss and his lawyers.
The sources added that the individual had undertaken to settle the outstanding balance.
JoySports contacted Mr Ankrah on October 15 to verify the payment, but he did not respond to the request for comment.
The reported payment comes as police investigate allegations of visa racketeering involving NSA officials and other individuals in connection with arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Mr Ankrah has denied the allegations contained in a petition filed by the NSA’s former Chief Operations Officer, Yaw Gyamfi Kusi Awere.
“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,” he said in a statement last month.
Earlier this month, his lawyer, Jerry Avenorgbor, told Newsfile that the police were investigating the allegations “aggressively” and that Mr Ankrah had appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on multiple occasions.
Sources familiar with the investigation said Mr Ankrah had told investigators that he and Mr Gyamfi had exchanged money during their relationship, which dates back to 1989. However, he reportedly maintained that he did not know the money in question represented commissions from prospective travellers seeking visa assistance.
Mr Gyamfi filed the petition requesting police intervention to recover the $56,000 he alleged Mr Ankrah had received as commission from prospective travellers.
Mr Ankrah continues to maintain that the allegations against him concerning visa-related payments are unfounded.
About 180 applicants allegedly paid for visa assistance
Sources familiar with the scheme said approximately 180 prospective travellers had paid between $4,000 and $25,000 for visa assistance in the hope of travelling to the 2026 World Cup in North America.
According to the sources, none of the applicants seeking assistance to travel to Canada received visas, while approximately 37 of the 180 applicants obtained visas.
A list of 90 people submitted by Mr Ankrah to the Sports Ministry on May 19, 2026, requesting support for visa applications, reportedly did not result in any of the applicants receiving a visa appointment date.
Mr Gyamfi has alleged that the individuals paid money before their names were included on the list submitted for visa assistance.
The affected applicants are now demanding refunds.
Mr Ankrah has denied any wrongdoing and recently told Sporty FM that he was “200 per cent sure” he would “be exonerated”.
NSA denies authorising visa facilitation
A JoySports investigation uncovered the use of an office at the NSA by Tribe Culture Fest to operate the visa-related scheme.
The NSA, however, has stated that it did not authorise visa facilitation activities at its premises.
On October 1, President John Dramani Mahama suspended Mr Ankrah from his position as Director-General of the NSA pending investigations into the alleged visa racketeering.
The suspension followed a report submitted to the Presidency by Sports Minister Kofi Adams concerning the allegations.
The ongoing police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged payments, the roles of the individuals involved and whether any offences were committed.
Meanwhile, President Mahama has established a committee at Jubilee House, chaired by Professor Francis Dodoo, to investigate the scandal.
