Old Tafo:Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has raised serious allegations concerning a visa scandal linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Ghana Web, Assafuah claims that over 30 individuals were inaccurately represented as board members or affiliates of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to the United States Embassy. The MP has called for the immediate suspension of GTA's CEO, Maame Efua Sekyi-Aidoo Houadjeto, to facilitate a thorough investigation into these allegations of misrepresentation.
The official board of the GTA reportedly consists of around 11 members. However, documents submitted to the embassy allegedly listed over 30 people under the board's name, which Assafuah argues is a deliberate act of misrepresentation. He highlighted the inclusion of unfamiliar names on the list, which included legitimate past and present board members but also introduced new, questionable names.
Assafuah also referenced a WhatsApp conversation in which someone admitted to securing a US visa by falsely claiming to be a GTA board member. He questioned the inclusion of several individuals with the surname "Pasa," specifically naming Pasa Lenda Esidwa, Pasa Lisa Zola, and Pasa Antoinette Aram, and called for scrutiny of their introductions to diplomats as board affiliates.
Furthermore, Assafuah disputed the timeline provided by the Ministry of Sports regarding the commencement of engagements with the US Embassy for the World Cup. While the ministry claimed discussions began in March or April 2026, Assafuah presented an email from February 3, 2026, indicating earlier interactions. This email referenced an October 2025 meeting, suggesting the ministry's timeline was misleading.
In response to these findings, the Parliamentary Minority, which had previously called for the removal of the Minister for Sports and the CEO of the National Sports Authority, is now also demanding the dismissal of the GTA Chief Executive.