The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, and the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Director of Communications, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, have demanded separate investigations into alleged corruption and visa fraud surrounding arrangements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While Mr Assafuah has petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to investigate possible corruption and financial irregularities, the NPP is demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the arrangements involving the National Sports Authority (NSA), the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and TRIBE Culture Fest.
In a petition dated October 15, 2026 Mr Assafuah, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, yesterday called for an independent investigation into the roles of the institutions and any other individuals or entities whose involvement may be established.
He wants the OSP to determine whether the available evidence provides reasonable grounds to investigate suspected corruption, corruption-related offences, financial irregularities or possible abuse of public office.
Mr Assafuah cited provisions of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), which empower the Office to investigate and prosecute suspected corruption and related offences, recover proceeds of corruption and investigate complaints involving possible corruption.
“I seek an independent determination of whether the conduct disclosed by the relevant documents and financial records gives rise to reasonable grounds for investigating any suspected corruption, possible corruption-related offences, financial irregularities and the potential misuse of public office,” he stated in the petition.
He said the circumstances surrounding the visa facilitation arrangements were serious enough to warrant the attention of the anti-corruption institution.
The petition comes amid growing scrutiny of arrangements involving the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, the NSA, the GTA, TRIBE Culture Fest and the Ghana Tourism Federation in connection with visa and travel assistance for the global football tournament.
Mr Assafuah wants the OSP to assess the available documents and financial records to establish whether the conduct in question falls within its jurisdiction and warrants further action under the law.
“I respectfully urge the Office to treat this petition with the seriousness it deserves and to take the appropriate steps to establish the financial trail, identify the persons responsible for the relevant decisions and determine whether any criminal offences have been committed,” the petition stated.
The Old Tafo MP said he had petitioned the OSP because the issues raised were matters of significant public interest that required independent investigation.
“The questions concern the exercise of public authority, the allocation of opportunities, the accuracy of official representations, the verification of beneficiaries and the handling of money in connection with a major international sporting event,” he stressed.
Separately, the NPP is demanding a parliamentary investigation into the alleged visa fraud, including the summoning of the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, and the Chief Executive Officer of the GTA to explain their roles in the arrangements.
The party is also calling for a public inquiry, the disclosure of all agreements and correspondence relating to the deal, and a clear deadline for concluding investigations into the allegations.
Addressing the media on yesterday, Mr Aboagye said Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee must establish the facts surrounding the arrangements and determine who should be held accountable.
“Parliament must step in and summon their member who happens to be the Minister for Sports and Recreation, summon the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority to answer questions on the floor of the House and to the Youth and Sports Committee so that we will have clarity,” he said.
Mr Aboagye argued that a parliamentary inquiry would help restore confidence among Ghana’s international partners by establishing whether the alleged fraudulent activities had been authorised by the state and ensuring that anyone found culpable was held accountable.
He also urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain its engagements with the United States and Canadian embassies and disclose the measures being taken to prevent Ghanaian travellers from suffering possible consequences arising from the controversy.
The NPP wants the publication of documents covering the arrangements, including the memorandum of understanding between the NSA and TRIBE Culture Fest, a supplementary agreement, the GTA’s agreement with the company, lists submitted to the two embassies and a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated May 28, 2026.
Applicants demand protection
The party has also raised concerns about individuals who allegedly paid the GTA or the NSA for visa and travel assistance linked to the World Cup.
It is calling on the state to protect the applicants, many of whom, Mr Aboagye said, may have relied on the credibility of the public institutions involved.
“Applicants who paid money to the Tourism Authority or to the National Sports Authority must be protected by the state. Many of them were ordinary Ghanaians who trusted the name of a public institution. They should be invited to come forward without fear and any money recovered returned to them,” he said.
Mr Aboagye urged the authorities to establish a definite timeline for the investigation and publish a report once it had been completed.
He warned that leaving the matter unresolved for an extended period without clear updates could deepen public suspicion and fuel concerns about a possible cover-up.
The demands for investigations come as questions persist over the agreements, financial arrangements and procedures used to facilitate visa and travel assistance for prospective Ghanaian supporters and other participants seeking to attend the 2026 World Cup.
The proposed inquiries are expected to establish the respective roles of the public institutions and private entities involved, determine whether the relevant procedures were followed and identify any wrongdoing, should the allegations be substantiated.
