Josiah
The Minority in Parliament is calling for the immediate dismissal and prosecution of the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) over their alleged involvement in the 2026 FIFA World Cup visa scandal.
The demand follows President John Mahama’s suspension of the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, over an ongoing investigation into a reported $623,000 visa facilitation payment.
Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday, Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, alleged that some officials facilitated visa applications for individuals who were not employees of the Sports Ministry.
According to Mr Assafuah, cover letters were allegedly prepared to present outsiders as Ministry staff in order to facilitate their visa applications.
He said the allegations raise serious concerns about the procedures used to facilitate the travel of individuals to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The controversy centres on the payment of approximately $623,000 in visa facilitation fees linked to arrangements for Ghanaian supporters and officials travelling to the tournament.
Following the development, President Mahama suspended Mr Ampofo Ankrah pending investigations.
The Minority is now demanding that the probe be expanded to include other officials it believes may have played a role in the arrangements.
It is specifically calling for the removal of the Sports Minister and the GTA Chief Executive and their prosecution if investigations establish their culpability.
The Minority says the investigation must establish how the funds were approved, who benefited from the arrangements and whether the proper procedures for visa facilitation were followed.
Mr Assafuah stressed that accountability should not end with the suspension of the NSA Director General, arguing that all officials found to have played a role in the matter must be held responsible.
Source:Omanghana
