NPP demands parliamentary inquiry into $600,000 World Cup visa fraud

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has formally requested a public parliamentary inquiry into a visa scandal involving the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where more than $600,000 was allegedly collected from individuals seeking travel assistance. The opposition party is urging Parliament to summon the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to provide a comprehensive account of the failed arrangements. The NPP’s demand follows reports that dozens of Ghanaians were left stranded despite paying significant sums for visas that never materialized.

Central to the controversy is the allegation that approximately 90 individuals paid for visa processing, yet only five successfully secured documentation to travel. The NPP is calling for the immediate release of all relevant documents to clarify how the process was handled and has asked for state protection for the victims who paid for assistance. The party also expressed concern over conflicting reports regarding the status of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, and is demanding a definitive statement from the Presidency to clarify his current standing within the administration.

In his defense, Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams has dismissed calls from the Minority for his dismissal, insisting that no government funds were lost during the episode. Mr. Adams stated that his ministry only became aware of the specific visa arrangements on May 19, after receiving a formal request. According to the Minister, the travel scheme was managed by a coalition involving the United States Embassy, a group known as Tribe Culture Fest, the NSA, and the GTA. He maintained that he had no prior knowledge of the internal details of the arrangement and that the primary responsibility lay with the organizing entities.

The fallout from the scandal has already led to the suspension of NSA Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations. While the Minister continues to distance his office from the administrative failures, the NPP argues that a public inquiry is the only way to ensure transparency and accountability for the citizens who lost their money. As the investigation progresses, the opposition remains firm that both the Ministry and the Tourism Authority must be held responsible for the oversight of the private partners involved in the World Cup travel project.