The Minority in Parliament has demanded the immediate dismissal of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) Chief Executive Officer, Maame Afua Houadjeto, over alleged irregularities surrounding visa arrangements for Ghanaians travelling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Minority has also called for investigations into the roles of the Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Iddie Adams, the National Sports Authority (NSA), the GTA and private entity TRIBE Culture Fest, insisting that the dismissal of former NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah cannot bring the matter to an end.
Addressing the media in Parliament on Wednesday, October 7, the Ranking Member on the Youth and Sports Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, alleged that records available to the Minority point to a wider network of arrangements involving public institutions and individuals seeking visas for World Cup-related travel.
“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.
50 NAMES — ONLY TWO VERIFIED
One of the most serious allegations concerns a list of 50 people allegedly submitted by the GTA to the United States Embassy as media personnel.
According to Mr Assafuah, the Embassy’s Fraud Prevention Unit subjected the names to due diligence, with only Philip Narh and Andy Dosty, both associated with Multimedia, identified as media practitioners.
The Minority is demanding answers over who compiled the list, who authorised the submission and the basis on which the remaining individuals were presented as media personnel.
Mr Assafuah said the development raises serious questions about the integrity of the visa facilitation process and the possible misuse of the credibility of public institutions in dealings with foreign diplomatic missions.
1,000 VISA SLOTS
The Minority has also raised questions over alleged visa allocations involving the GTA.
Mr Assafuah claimed that records available to the caucus indicate that the GTA CEO was allocated 400 visa slots by the US Embassy and another 600 by the Canadian Embassy.
“If these allocations are accurate, which I believe they are accurate, the public is entitled to know how many visas were ultimately issued, how many applications were rejected and how the allocated slots were utilised,” he said.
The Minority wants the complete list of applicants and the eventual visa outcomes established.
$8,000-$9,000 PAYMENTS ALLEGED
The financial aspect of the controversy has also come under scrutiny.
Mr Assafuah alleged that some individuals seeking to travel under the arrangements paid between US$8,000 and US$9,000 in connection with the World Cup arrangements.
He did not provide further details on the alleged payments but said the claims warranted investigation.
The Minority has previously raised concerns about alleged fees of about US$3,000 for travel to the United States and US$2,000 for Canada, making the alleged higher payments another issue requiring clarification.
TRIBE CULTURE FEST UNDER SCRUTINY
The Minority also wants the relationship between the GTA and TRIBE Culture Fest examined.
According to Mr Assafuah, the GTA had an arrangement with the private entity involving visa processing and accommodation for persons travelling for World Cup-related activities.
The Minority is demanding that investigators establish who authorised the arrangement, who selected the beneficiaries, what services were provided and how payments were handled.
SPORTS MINISTRY ALSO QUESTIONED
The Minority’s concerns extend beyond the GTA.
Mr Assafuah questioned the role of Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddie Adams, particularly regarding correspondence between the Ministry and the US Embassy over World Cup-related visa arrangements.
The Minority has therefore called for a broader investigation into the Ministry, NSA, GTA, TRIBE Culture Fest and all officials and individuals implicated by the documentary evidence.
‘DISMISSAL IS NOT PROSECUTION’
Mr Assafuah warned that administrative action must not prevent criminal accountability if investigations uncover wrongdoing.
“We are calling for the GTA boss to be sacked immediately,” he 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.”
