Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has called for the removal of Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams, arguing that the dismissal of National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah does not go far enough in addressing the controversy surrounding alleged payments linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Assafuah, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, welcomed President John Mahama’s decision to remove Ampofo Ankrah from office but said responsibility should extend to the minister overseeing the NSA.
“The sacking of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah does not, by itself, resolve the issues at the centre of this matter. The buck ultimately stops with the Minister,” Assafuah said.
Ampofo Ankrah was removed from his position amid a police investigation into allegations that about US$623,000 was collected from prospective World Cup travellers in connection with visa and travel arrangements.
Ampofo Ankrah has denied knowledge of any such arrangement, while the NSA has also stated that it did not authorise visa facilitation services or the collection of money from applicants.
The controversy prompted calls from the parliamentary Minority for Ampofo Ankrah to be dismissed or suspended pending investigations. Assafuah was among those who publicly supported the demand.
Following the President’s decision, the Old Tafo MP said the next focus should be on establishing broader accountability within the ministry and the NSA.
“Based on the facts currently available, the Minister is not detached from the circumstances that have led to Mr. Ampofo Ankrah’s dismissal,” he said.
“While we remain grateful to the President for heeding our call and sacking Mr. Ampofo Ankrah, it is imperative to note that accountability is the objective, and it must not stop at the most convenient target.”
Assafuah subsequently called for Adams to be removed from office, arguing that the minister should answer for his alleged role in the circumstances surrounding the NSA.
“The Minister must also take responsibility and be sacked for his role in the mess at the NSA. Anything short of that risks the symptom while leaving the underlying problem untouched,” he said.
The allegations arose from claims that individuals seeking to travel to the 2026 FIFA World Cup were charged substantial sums for visa and travel assistance.
The NSA has denied authorising such an arrangement, while the allegations remain the subject of an ongoing investigation. The outcome of the investigation is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged payments and establish whether any officials or institutions breached applicable rules.