Sanaa:A growing scandal involving Ghana's visa processes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has led to serious allegations concerning the submission of applicant names by state institutions. The Minority in Parliament claims that payments of up to $14,000 were made, and that some personnel and job titles involved in the process were fabricated.
According to Ghana Web, the allegations center on the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the National Sports Authority (NSA). The Minority is demanding a comprehensive investigation into how visas linked to Ghana's World Cup activities were secured.
During a press conference, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee, stated that individuals paid between $7,000 and $14,000 for visa processing. He also mentioned the involvement of two individuals, Chase and Diesel, in collecting these payments.
Assafuah highlighted concerns that non-GTA staff were processed under these arrangements at high fees. He questioned why people outside the GTA were allegedly granted visa opportunities meant for the Authority.
Further controversy arises from allegations that only two out of 50 names submitted by the GTA to the US Embassy as media personnel were verified as professionals. The Minority claims that the remaining 48 could not be confirmed as media practitioners.
Additionally, there are questions regarding the GTA's use of its visa allocations, with claims that its CEO received 400 US and 600 Canadian visa slots.
The allegations also implicate the NSA, where only 15 of 102 names submitted to the Canadian Embassy were verified as actual NSA employees. The Minority claims that some names were linked to nonexistent job titles within the NSA.
The NSA has denied any involvement in the alleged scheme and is cooperating with an ongoing police investigation. Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has asked former NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah to step aside, appointing Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong as acting Director-General.
The Minority insists on a thorough investigation into the roles of all officials and institutions involved, with any criminal activity found leading to prosecution.