The Fraud Prevention Unit of the United States Embassy exposed discrepancies in World Cup visa applications submitted by the National Sports Authority (NSA) after officials allegedly presented non-staff as employees.
The Minority in Parliament, which is making the allegations says the discovery shows the scandal goes beyond one individual and involves a wider network across public institutions.
Addressing the media at a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Old Tafo legislator and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, said the US Embassy flag is what brought the full extent of the alleged scheme to light.
According to him, the process began with an engagement involving the US Embassy, TRIBE Culture Fest, the NSA and the Ghana Tourism Authority, where TRIBE was introduced as a partner capable of spearheading activities connected to Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He said on January 28, 2026, an email was sent to the US Embassy by the Chief Operating Officer of the NSA, Yaw Gyamfi Kusi Awere, under the subject “NSA Staff Appointments” introducing 22 personnel for visa appointments.
Assafuah said verification by the Minority showed several positions on the list did not exist within the NSA’s organisational structure, including a Board Secretary designation for Comfort Ahiadome, a Northern Region Coordinator designation for Fuseini Lukman, and Procurement Officer designations for Felicia Ahiadome and Francis Owusu, although the actual procurement officers are Isaac Tetteh and one Sallah.
He averred that the most critical point came on March 18, 2026, when the Fraud Prevention Unit identified four applicants – Ralph Egyir Quianoo, Belinda Tsey, Francis Frimpong Agyemang and Beryl Joycelyn Baabe Duut – who were presented as Operations Coordinator, Business Administrator, World Cup Coordinator, and Research and Technology.
“The Embassy sought employment letters or other evidence establishing their employment with the NSA,” he stated.
Assafuah said a similar issue occurred with the Canadian Embassy. After a meeting on June 2, 2026, to discuss Ghana Fan Fest activities at Sankofa Square in Toronto, the Embassy asked the NSA to re-provide the list of affiliated applicants with their actual employment, roles and reasons for travel.
On June 8, 2026, NSA Director-General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, submitted 102 names, but only 15 have been verified as personnel of the Authority, leaving 87 whose status could not be verified.
He said Susan Agyeiwaa Kudom, whose visa was approved on June 5, 2026, was presented as Procurement Officer, while Linda Oduro Tenkorang, a woman of God, was presented as Chaplain despite not being NSA staff.
Assafuah alleged that while the NSA arrangement contemplated US$3,000 per person for US visas and US$2,000 for Canada, individuals were allegedly charged up to US$9,000, and the matter concerns the use of the names and credibility of Ghanaian public institutions before foreign missions.
Minority demands immediate dismissal of Sports Minister, GTA CEO over alleged World Cup visa scandal
