NPP demands Parliamentary inquiry into $600,000 World Cup visa fraud

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called for an urgent parliamentary inquiry into allegations of visa fraud involving more than US$600,000 collected for travel arrangements to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At a press conference held on October 15, 2026, the party’s Director of Communications, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, urged Parliament to summon the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, and the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto. The NPP is demanding a public inquiry, the release of all pertinent documents, and a clear timeline for investigations to protect individuals who allegedly paid between US$7,000 and US$14,000 for visa assistance.

Supplementing the party's formal demands, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has filed petitions with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). These petitions target several state institutions, including the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the GTA, over suspected corruption and abuse of power. Mr. Assafuah highlighted concerns regarding a Memorandum of Understanding between the NSA and TRIBE Culture Fest, as well as discrepancies in beneficiary lists submitted to the United States and Canadian embassies. He emphasized the need for an independent, evidence-based investigation to determine whether public officials facilitated improper benefits.

The scandal has already prompted executive action, with President John Mahama directing the Director-General of the NSA, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, to step aside while police investigations continue. However, the NPP has criticized the government for a lack of transparency, demanding clarification on whether Mr. Ampofo Ankrah has been dismissed or merely suspended. The party argues that if the NSA head was required to step aside, the same standard of accountability should apply to Sports Minister Kofi Adams, who they claim should resign temporarily to face scrutiny.

In response to the allegations, Minister Kofi Adams has expressed his readiness to appear before Parliament, stating he has nothing to hide. He dismissed calls for his removal, asserting that the Ministry of Sports and Recreation only became aware of the specific visa arrangements in May and that the lists submitted by his office consisted only of volunteers and event coordinators. As the investigation unfolds, the NPP continues to urge the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to maintain open communication with international partners to reassure them of Ghana's commitment to tackling the reported irregularities.