Sports Ministry clarifies 2026 World Cup visa arrangements

The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has held a press conference to address allegations of visa fraud and irregularities related to Ghana's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sports Minister Kofi Adams provided a detailed chronology of the ministry's engagements with the U.S. Embassy, defending the official processes against claims of personal financial benefit. The ministry clarified that discussions regarding visa facilitation began months before the current controversy, with the ministry only becoming directly involved in May 2026 to coordinate requests for National Sports Authority (NSA) volunteers and event coordinators.

Wonder Sitsofe Mandel, a special aide to the Sports Minister, explained that the U.S. Embassy recognized the NSA, the Ghana Football Association (GFA), and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) as separate entities with distinct arrangements for visa and consular services. This multi-track system was established during a meeting in April 2026 to streamline applications for various groups, including those involved with the TRIBE Culture Fest. Mandel emphasized that the embassy had specifically warned the ministry against individuals falsely claiming they could secure visa appointments, a warning that the Sports Minister had passed on to prospective travelers to protect them from scammers.

The investigation into the matter follows the submission of a list of 90 names by the NSA, which triggered concerns regarding misrepresentation. In response to the unfolding scandal, President John Mahama directed the NSA Director-General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, to step aside to allow for a full inquiry. The ministry also clarified that Yaw Kusi Awere, an individual identified in correspondence with embassies regarding visa facilitation, was not an employee of the NSA during the period in question. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is currently probing the applications of over 30 individuals allegedly misrepresented as being linked to the GTA.

Amidst the ongoing CID investigation, Jerry Avernugbor, the lawyer for the suspended NSA Director-General, has maintained his client's innocence. Avernugbor stated that Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has neither requested nor received any money to facilitate visas and has cooperated fully with the police over the past month. While acknowledging that Ankrah was introduced to a company by a U.S. Embassy representative, the lawyer insisted that no financial transactions occurred and urged the public to refrain from judgment until the investigation is complete.