2026 World Cup: Minority alleges how GTA charged $7,000–$14,000 for visa processing

The Minority in Parliament has called for greater transparency from the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) over alleged visa processing arrangements linked to Ghana's activities ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Minority claims some individuals were allegedly charged between $7,000 and $14,000 for assistance with visa processing, raising questions about how visa-related opportunities associated with the tournament were being managed.

Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Assafuah Ekow Vincent, made the allegations at a press conference on Wednesday, October 7.

He alleged that two individuals known as Chase and Diesel were involved in collecting the payments and facilitating visa processing under the arrangements.

According to Mr Assafuah, the allegations require the GTA's leadership to explain the basis for involving individuals who are not employees of the Authority in activities connected to World Cup-related visa allocations.

“Our investigation also raises questions concerning allegations that individuals who were not GTA staff were being offered, or processed, under these arrangements, at fees reportedly ranging from $7,000 to $14,000 per person.

“If these allegations are accurate, the CEO of the GTA must explain to taxpayers why individuals outside the Ghana Tourism Authority were allegedly being processed or offered access to visa opportunities associated with allocations intended for the authority’s World Cup-related activities.

“There are also questions surrounding 2 individuals identified to us, Chase and Diesel, who were allegedly engaged to oversee visa processing activities involving the United States and Canadian allocations.

“The public deserves clarity on who these individuals are, who engaged them, the authority under which they operated and what role they played in the processing of applicants.”

The Minority said the alleged fees and the reported involvement of persons outside the GTA warranted a clear explanation from the Authority.

It is demanding information on the identity and mandate of the two individuals, who authorised their involvement and how applicants were selected and processed under the arrangements.