Minority calls for Kofi Adams, GTA boss to be removed over World Cup visa allegations

The Minority in Parliament is demanding a full investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding Ghana’s visa arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with calls for the removal of Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Afua Houadjeto.

The caucus says the probe must go beyond former National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, whose removal was recently announced by President John Dramani Mahama.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Octobre 7, Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, said the dismissal of one official does not answer the wider questions surrounding the visa arrangements.

“The President has removed the Ampofoankra. We acknowledge that decision, but the public should not be made to believe that the removal of one official automatically answers every question arising from the document,” Assafuah said.

He said the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, GTA, NSA officials, TRIBE Culture Fest and individuals allegedly involved in preparing or transmitting visa lists must all be scrutinised.

“The Ministry’s role remains, the GTA’s role remains, the role of the NSA officials also remains, the role of Tribe Culture Fest remains, the role of individuals who allegedly collected or transmitted money remains, the role of those prepared, approved or transmitted institutional lists also remains, and the role of those who added names to official submissions remains.”

Assafuah said the Minister’s role requires particular scrutiny over an alleged expansion of an NSA visa request from four names to approximately 92 names submitted to the US Embassy.

“The Minister’s role requires particular scrutiny because the Ministry received an NSA request containing four names and subsequently transmitted an expanded list containing approximately 92 names to the United States Embassy,” he said.

The Minority is also questioning the GTA’s alleged relationship with TRIBE Culture Fest, including claims that the company facilitated preparatory travel for GTA leadership.

“The GTA was not an outsider to this agreement. Tribe Culture Fest had an institutional relationship with the authorities. TRIBE Culture Fest facilitated preparatory travel for GTA leadership,” Assafuah said.

The caucus further alleged that 50 names submitted by the GTA to the US Embassy as media personnel for the World Cup included only two people who were verified as genuine journalists.

Assafuah said the GTA must therefore face the same level of scrutiny as the NSA.

“We are calling for the GTA boss to be sacked immediately and where the evidence establishes that the Minister, the GTA boss or any other official knowingly participated in authorized or facilitated or enabled criminal conduct, we call for their prosecution.”

The controversy follows the removal of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah amid scrutiny of Ghana’s World Cup visa arrangements.

The Minority says that investigations must cover all institutions and individuals allegedly connected to the preparation and submission of visa lists.