Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup visa controversy has taken another dramatic turn after the Minority in Parliament demanded the dismissal of Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams and Ghana Tourism Authority CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto.
The Minority is also calling for criminal prosecution if investigations establish that either official knowingly participated in wrongdoing connected to the visa arrangements.
Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday, October 7, Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee Vincent Ekow Assafuah argued that accountability should extend beyond former National Sports Authority Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, who was removed while police investigations continue.
According to the Minority, documents in its possession allegedly point to the involvement of several institutions, including the Sports Ministry, the National Sports Authority, the Ghana Tourism Authority and private entity TRIBE Culture Fest.
One of the major allegations concerns individuals who were reportedly presented to foreign diplomatic missions as employees, volunteers or affiliates of public institutions despite questions over whether they genuinely held those positions.
The Minority has also raised concerns about substantial payments allegedly made by individuals seeking assistance with World Cup-related travel and visa arrangements. Reports surrounding the controversy have cited amounts exceeding $600,000, while some applicants were allegedly charged thousands of dollars each.
Assafuah stressed that removing officials from office should not be considered the final punishment if investigators uncover evidence of criminal conduct.
The Minority is therefore demanding a comprehensive investigation to determine who authorised the arrangements, how money was collected, which individuals benefited and whether Ghanaian state institutions were improperly used to support visa applications.
The NSA previously denied authorising any illegal visa facilitation or money-collection scheme and said it was cooperating with the police investigation.
For now, the allegations against the Sports Minister and GTA leadership remain claims requiring investigation, and no criminal conviction has been established.
But with Parliament’s Minority intensifying its demands, the World Cup visa controversy appears far from over as pressure mounts for investigators to uncover the full story behind Ghana’s travel arrangements for the tournament.
