$1.5K for Ampofo, $1.5K for Gyamfi: New details of World Cup visa scandal emerge

Fresh details have emerged in the alleged visa racketeering scandal involving Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The new details, which were shared by JoyNews reporter Muftawu Nabila Abdulai on the Monday, October 12, 2026, edition of JoyNews, showed how prospective travellers were allegedly recruited through a network of contractors and sub-contractors.

According to the journalist, an office was allegedly established at the National Sports Authority (NSA) to facilitate the visa application process, where prospective travellers reportedly submitted money after being assured of assistance in securing visas to the United States and Canada.

Speaking about his investigations into the scandal, Muftawu said a list of 90 people who were presented as event coordinators or volunteers for the World Cup was forwarded to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

However, only five of them obtained visas, leaving 85 unsuccessful applicants who had reportedly paid money to facilitate their travel.

The revelations raised further questions about the scale of the alleged scheme, the individuals involved in collecting payments and the circumstances under which the applicants were given assurances about travelling to the tournament.

Here’s a breakdown of the new details:

90 applicants, only five visas

Muftawu disclosed that a letter dated May 19, written by the then NSA Director-General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, introduced 90 people who were expected to travel to the World Cup as event coordinators or volunteers.

The letter was reportedly intended to facilitate the process of travelling to the tournament and was channelled through the relevant ministries.

He explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier written to ministries, government agencies and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), directing them to channel requests involving people travelling to the World Cup through the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to ensure proper due diligence.

According to the journalist, the Sports Ministry received the letter on May 25.

However, investigations into the list allegedly established that only five of the 90 applicants secured visas, while the remaining 85 did not obtain the travel documents despite having paid money.

He indicated that the names of the 90 applicants had been included in a petition submitted to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

How a report to President Mahama led to Ampofo Ankrah’s suspension

Fees for US and Canada:

The report also said that the fees charged to prospective World Cup attendees varied depending on the visas applicants sought.

Those seeking visas for both the United States and Canada were allegedly charged $15,000, while applicants seeking only a US visa were reportedly charged $10,000.

Contractors, sub-contractors recruited applicants

Another major revelation from the investigation was the alleged involvement of intermediaries who recruited applicants and made payments on their behalf.

Muftawu explained that the people seeking visas did not necessarily approach the individuals allegedly facilitating the process independently. Instead, some were brought in groups by contractors and sub-contractors.

He cited the example of a man who allegedly submitted a list of 47 applicants, while another intermediary brought 15 people and reportedly paid US$59,000 at once.

In another instance, a person allegedly brought five applicants and paid $25,000, while another paid $20,000 for four people. A different individual reportedly paid $10,000 for two applicants.

The journalist said he had spoken to the people involved in some of these transactions as part of his investigations.

He also recounted an instance in which a woman allegedly delivered GH¢158,000 on behalf of three other people.

The transactions, he suggested, pointed to a system in which several intermediaries were involved in bringing prospective travellers into the process and facilitating payments.

NSA office allegedly set up for visa processing

Muftawu further disclosed that an office had allegedly been established at the National Sports Authority to facilitate the visa process for prospective travellers.

According to him, the existence of the office contributed to the confidence applicants had in the process, as they believed they were dealing with an official arrangement.

He said the office had staff and was used by prospective travellers who submitted money in the hope of securing visas.

The journalist alleged that Gyamfi operated the office, although he also noted that the individual had denied knowledge of the alleged activities.

Allegations of payments to officials

Muftawu also discussed allegations contained in a petition by the former Chief Executive Officer of the NSA, Yaw Gyamfi Kusi Awere, concerning the distribution of money collected from applicants.

According to the journalist, the former CEO of the NSA, who was in charge of the newly created office, alleged that about 80% of the people who approached him had been referred by the NSA.

The allegations suggested that money collected from applicants was distributed among several individuals, with amounts allegedly set aside for different people involved in the process.

He alleged that, under the agreement, $4,000 was the actual payment for the process, $1,500 was allegedly allocated to the suspended NSA Director-General, $1,500 to the former NSA CEO, another US$5,000 was reportedly retained, and the remaining $1,000 was allegedly given to the CEO of TRIBE Culture Fest, Nana Boateng Gyimah.

Watch videos of his remarks below:

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