Alexander Afenyo-Markin demands resignation of Sports Minister over visa scandal

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called for the immediate resignation of the Minister for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, following allegations of a visa racketeering scandal involving the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The demand comes amid reports of significant irregularities in the visa acquisition process, which the Minority claims allowed individuals to be exploited for financial gain. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has already commenced a probe into the matter to determine the extent of the alleged misconduct.

According to the Minority, the visa arrangements were marred by serious lapses that facilitated racketeering, with applicants reportedly charged between US$7,000 and US$14,000 for travel assistance. Afenyo-Markin revealed that over US$600,000 is estimated to have been collected from various individuals during this process. He argued that such actions not only exploit citizens but also damage the international reputation of the country, necessitating immediate accountability at the highest levels of the sports ministry.

In the wake of these revelations, the Director-General of the National Sports Authority has been suspended to facilitate ongoing investigations. However, the Minority maintains that the suspension is insufficient and is demanding that both Kofi Adams and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) be held responsible. Afenyo-Markin has insisted that these officials must appear before Parliament to answer for the administrative failures that allowed the racketeering to occur.

For their part, both the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ghana Tourism Authority have denied any wrongdoing in the matter. In separate statements, the organizations asserted that their official mandates did not include the collection of fees for visa approvals and that they are cooperating with the CID. As the investigation continues, the Minority has pledged to keep the pressure on the government to ensure full transparency and the prosecution of any individuals found to have profited from the scheme.