Lawyer for former National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has rejected allegations linking his client to a scheme that allegedly collected money from Ghanaians seeking visa and travel assistance for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Jerry Avenorgbor said investigations into the matter would establish that Mr Ampofo Ankrah had no role in collecting money from prospective travellers or facilitating visa arrangements.

“My client has not done it. My client has not been in physical form, present with anybody, collected and taken money to do anything,” he said on Accra-based Channel One on Thursday, October 1.

The allegations centre on claims that more than US$600,000 was collected from people seeking assistance to travel to the World Cup, with the Minority in Parliament alleging that some applicants were charged as much as US$8,000.

Mr Avenorgbor rejected the allegations and described them as attempts to damage his client’s reputation.

“These are falsities and untruths,” he said, adding that “investigations will reveal the pure truth behind what is happening.”

He said the investigation is being handled by the Economic Crime Unit at the Police Headquarters and has been ongoing for several weeks.

“The matter as we speak is at the police headquarters, the economic unit, and they’ve been investigating for weeks now,” he said.

According to the lawyer, investigators have invited several individuals and organisations connected to the matter as they seek to establish what happened.

Ampofo Ankrah removed as NSA Director-General

The comments come after President John Dramani Mahama relieved Yaw Ampofo Ankrah of his duties as Director-General of the NSA.

He has been replaced in an acting capacity by Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).

Prof. Sarpong takes over the Authority as it faces scrutiny over the management of Ghana’s sports facilities and the ongoing police investigation into the alleged visa facilitation activities.

Ampofo Ankrah’s removal comes weeks after President Mahama dissolved the NSA’s governing board on September 2, 2026.

Although Mr Ampofo Ankrah was a member of the dissolved board, he remained in charge of the Authority’s daily operations until his removal.

Lawyer distinguishes NSA from Tribe

Mr Avenorgbor also sought to distinguish the NSA from Tribe, a private company he said was involved in activities related to the World Cup.

“It’s not the NSA that Tribe worked for,” he said.

The NSA has previously denied authorising any visa facilitation or money-collection arrangement linked to the World Cup and said its legal team was cooperating with the police investigation.

Mr Avenorgbor maintained that his client had no involvement in the alleged conduct.

“My client has not done anything in this regard. This is information being peddled to denigrate the reputation of my client,” he said.

“Time will reveal, and that’s it,” he added.

Prof. Sarpong takes over

Prof. Sarpong assumes leadership of the NSA at a time when concerns over the condition and management of major sports facilities remain.

The Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara Sports Stadium have been among the facilities under scrutiny over their readiness to host major international competitions.

The new acting Director-General is therefore taking charge as the NSA continues to deal with questions surrounding its administration, sports facilities and the ongoing investigation.