Omanghana
The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and President John Dramani Mahama to investigate alleged irregularities in visa facilitation arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The petitions seek scrutiny of how beneficiaries were selected, how official certifications were issued and how sponsorship proceeds were handled by institutions involved in the arrangements.
Assafuah has requested an examination of the roles played by the National Sports Authority (NSA), the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, TRIBE Culture Fest and the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF).
Among the issues raised is an alleged discrepancy in a list of 102 individuals submitted to the Canadian Embassy through the NSA. According to the petition, only 15 of those listed were verified as personnel of the authority, raising questions about the status of the remaining applicants and the basis for their inclusion.
The MP also questioned arrangements involving what the petition describes as 400 United States visa slots and 800 Canadian visa slots allocated through the GTA. He wants investigators to establish how those arrangements were authorised and administered.
Another concern involves allegations that applicants were charged between US$7,000 and US$14,000. The petition further draws attention to a disputed memorandum of understanding with TRIBE Culture Fest that allegedly specified fixed visa costs.
Assafuah is seeking an investigation to establish whether the arrangements involved financial misconduct, improper use of public authority or other breaches requiring action by the relevant institutions.
The allegations contained in the petitions have not been established as findings of wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, President Mahama has directed NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah to step aside amid the controversy.
Source: Omanghana
