The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has denied the Ministry’s involvement in a visa scandal linked to the country’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The controversy has drawn allegations involving the National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and TRiBE Culture Fest.
The Ministry’s position was communicated by the Minister’s special aide, Wonder Mandel, during a media engagement on Friday, October 10, following allegations by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Committee on Sports and Recreation, linking the Ministry to the controversy.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Mandel said the Ministry could not be held responsible for every action taken by the institutions and organisations involved.
“The Ministry is not here to certify every action undertaken by the NSA. We are not certifying every action by the GTA. We are not certifying every action by TRiBE Culture Fest,” he said.
Mandel called for a thorough examination of financial transactions linked to the allegations, insisting that anyone who paid money and is owed a refund should have their funds recovered.
“If commissions were paid, follow the accounts. If people are owed, let the refunds be done, let us recover their money for them,” he added.
He also stressed that individuals found responsible should be held accountable, arguing that responsibility must be based on the available evidence and the conduct of those involved.
“Nobody should be protected. Our objection is simply that accountability must attach to the person whose evidence and conduct established it,” Mandel said on behalf of Adams.
The Minister’s response comes amid growing scrutiny of the visa-related arrangements surrounding Ghana’s involvement in activities linked to the 2026 World Cup, with calls for transparency and accountability over the allegations.
Meanwhile, the Minority is now demanding that the investigation be extended to other officials it alleges played a role in the arrangements. It wants the Sports Minister and the GTA Chief Executive to be removed from office and prosecuted if found culpable.
