More details have emerged about the alleged visa-racketeering scandal linked to Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after former National Sports Authority (NSA) Chief Executive Officer Yaw Gyamfi Kusi Awere petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and named other alleged beneficiaries.
The development follows the suspension of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah as NSA director. Nana Boateng Gyimah, the CEO of TRIBE Culture Fest, was also named in the allegations.
According to Joy FM Sports Editor Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, Gyamfi approached the CID while under pressure from people seeking refunds for money they had paid towards United States and/or Canadian visas for the tournament.
Fentuo made the claims during a panel discussion on the 12 October 2026 edition of JoyNews PM Express. He said Gyamfi had returned the share of the money he allegedly received, but remained the main focus of the victims’ demands because he had collected the payments from them directly.
Gyamfi is reported to have told investigators that he had not kept all the money collected. He therefore asked the other alleged recipients, including Ampofo Ankrah and the TRIBE Culture Fest chief executive, to return their portions so the outstanding refunds could be made.
The refusal of the other parties to repay the money allegedly increased the pressure on Gyamfi. He reportedly believed the victims would continue to hold him responsible because their financial dealings had been with him.
Fentuo said Gyamfi then decided to petition the CID, identifying the other individuals in an effort to make them return the funds and allow the refunds to be completed. He also indicated that Gyamfi believed TRIBE Culture Fest had received the largest share and should be responsible for repaying that amount.
JoyNews reporter Muftawu Nabila Abdulai, who also appeared on the programme, said 85 of the 90 people who paid for the visa arrangements had not received visas.
Those applicants were said to have paid between $10,000 and $15,000 for access to visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The allegations indicate that the money was divided among several people involved in the arrangement. Under the reported agreement, $4,000 was the actual cost of the process.
A further $1,500 was allegedly allocated to Ampofo Ankrah, who had been suspended as NSA Director-General, while another $1,500 was allegedly assigned to Gyamfi, the former NSA CEO.
The breakdown also alleges that US$5,000 was retained, with the remaining $1,000 going to Nana Boateng Gyimah, CEO of TRIBE Culture Fest.
