The Minority in Parliament has called for the dismissal and prosecution of Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams over alleged involvement in the visa controversy surrounding the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
The Minority has also called for the removal and possible prosecution of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), should investigations establish that he was involved in any wrongdoing.
The demands were made on Wednesday by the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, at a press conference.
Mr Assafuah alleged that some officials were involved in facilitating visa applications for people who were not employees of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.
He further claimed that cover letters were allegedly prepared to present some outsiders as ministry staff in order to facilitate their applications to travel to the United States for the World Cup.
“This raises serious questions about the processes used to facilitate the travel of individuals to the United States for the World Cup,” Mr Assafuah said.
The allegations form part of an ongoing controversy over the payment of about $623,000 in visa facilitation fees linked to Ghana’s arrangements for supporters and officials travelling to the tournament.
President John Mahama has suspended National Sports Authority (NSA) Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah pending investigations into the matter.
However, the Minority says the investigation should go beyond the NSA boss and examine the roles of all officials who may have been involved.
“The dismissal of Yaw Ampofo Ankrah does not, by itself, resolve the issues before us. Accountability cannot and does not end with one individual,” Mr Assafuah said.
He added: “Dismissal is not prosecution. Removal from office is not accountability for criminal conduct. Where there is evidence of a crime, the appropriate law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities must pursue the matter.”
The Minority wants investigators to establish how the $623,000 was approved, who benefited from the arrangements and whether the appropriate procedures were followed in facilitating the visa applications.
Mr Assafuah said accountability must extend to any other officials found to have played a role in the controversy.
The Minority’s demands do not constitute a finding of wrongdoing against Mr Adams or the GTA chief executive. Any disciplinary or criminal action would depend on the outcome of investigations.
Ghana’s Black Stars were eliminated in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, which was hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
