Vincent Ekow Assafuah rejects John Mahama’s committee on World Cup visa scandal

Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, has officially declined an invitation from President John Mahama to serve on a committee investigating alleged visa racketeering for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Minority spokesperson cited concerns regarding the committee’s transparency and independence, arguing that the body’s current structure is insufficient to address the gravity of the allegations. Instead, Assafuah is calling for the establishment of a public commission of inquiry equipped with subpoena powers to conduct a more rigorous and open investigation into the matter.

The scandal centers on reports that over $600,000 was collected from Ghanaian citizens who were promised travel assistance and visas for the tournament. Victims reportedly paid between $7,000 and $15,000 each for services that were never delivered, with some individuals allegedly paying up to $15,000. The fallout from these allegations has already triggered a probe by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and led to the suspension of the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah. While the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ghana Tourism Authority have both denied involvement, allegations of a coordinated scheme involving state agencies and a private entity persist.

Assafuah’s refusal to participate in the presidential committee highlights a growing rift between the Minority and the executive over how to handle corruption allegations in the sports sector. He criticized the presidency for what he termed "opaque operations," suggesting that only a truly independent commission can restore public confidence and ensure accountability. The Minority has signaled that it will continue to push for a full public disclosure of all findings, maintaining that internal government reviews are inadequate for a case involving significant public extortion and the possible complicity of high-ranking officials.