NSA denies authorising World Cup visa facilitation payments
The National Sports Authority (NSA) has denied allegations that some individuals within the Authority received approximately US$623,000 from members of the public under the promise of facilitating visas for the FIFA World Cup.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the NSA said it had neither established nor authorised any office at the stadium for the collection of money or facilitation of World Cup visas.
“The Authority has not engaged in, sanctioned or authorised any visa-related activities of the kind alleged in the publication,” the statement said.
The NSA clarified that TRIBE FEST was a FIFA-licensed partner involved in fan-experience activities, World Cup viewing events and event mobilisation in collaboration with the NSA, the Ghana Tourism Authority and other partners.
However, it stressed that the arrangement did not authorise TRIBE FEST, any NSA employee or any other individual to collect money for the procurement of visas on behalf of the Authority.
The statement follows reports that a petition has been submitted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service over the alleged visa facilitation scheme.
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The NSA said it had not been officially notified of the full details of the alleged petition and would therefore not speculate on its contents or the identities of persons reportedly named.
The Authority said it takes the allegations seriously and is prepared to cooperate fully with any lawful investigation by the Ghana Police Service.
It added that the Director-General and any other officer of the Authority would make themselves available and provide the necessary assistance if invited by the police.
According to the NSA, if credible evidence establishes wrongdoing by an employee, official or third party, it expects the police to deal with the person responsible in accordance with the law.
The Authority, however, cautioned against attributing the alleged conduct of individuals to the NSA as an institution unless investigations establish that such activities were duly authorised.
The NSA has also urged the public and media to exercise restraint and refrain from presenting unverified allegations as established facts while the appropriate state institutions conduct their investigations.
PAH/JKB
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Source: www.ghanaweb.com« Previous |
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